Meetings

By Mallika Chandrasekhar

Please try not to invite me

To the narrow-minded by-lanes

Of your residential complex

I don't do very well 

In situations where I am judged or feared

I clam up in place 

Of resistance and resentments 

I fall flat on my face

On hard surfaces of indifference

But come, let's meet

At the intersection 

Of acceptance and understanding 

There's a cute quaint Cafe

Warm and extremely cosy

Where we can share 

Our thoughts and emotions 

Where we can be ourselves totally

Without being judged or arraigned

Meet me, my friend 

Without expectations or presumptions

Lofty and hifalutin

Come instead with honesty and good intentions 

We'll do well on equal footings

Perhaps our stories will 

Inspire one another

Don't pretend to be something you're not 

Simply because I'm terrible at pretending to be someone I'm not 

Life is brief and so unpredictable 

Beautiful moments are few and rare in-between

So, let's make these brief in-between meetings 

Memorable and meaningful 

Let our meetings be something 

That we can carry with us 

In our memories, sweet and special. 

By Mallika Chandrasekhar