Ivan Paul Verghese

Sitting on the bench beside the sea,

Dreaming of leaving this island.

As beautiful and scenic it may be

It began to feel like a prison.

A prison filled with comfort and joy,

Something I only realized when I left.

Out there in the world I fought,

Only to come back when I needed rest

I don’t regret leaving,

Though I wish things were different.

Everything looked good for a while,

But even Ozymandias couldn’t beat time.

Leaking roofs and broken mosquito nets.

Like a disease how quickly it spread.

But even during the worst I did not believe

I would have to say bye and leave.

Maybe I should have come back more often

I thought I’d have more opportunities.

Broken, thinking I would never heal,

But now I roam, searching for a new home.