Poem: Black

My world begins
with darkness, with black!

I know not of day, of light,
My days are one endless night.

I do not see
The pity that distorts your faces
But I see it
Lace every word you speak

I do not see
Spring bursting into full bloom
But I see it
In the perfume of the breeze

I do not see
The beauty of silk and satin
But I see it
As they softly kiss my fingertips

I do not see
Love gracing my mother's features
But I see it
In the saltiness of her joyful tears
As I conquer peak after peak.

My world is darkness,
coloured black -
And I do not understand why you call it the colour of evil,
Of ignorance and shame,
For I have learnt of graduation robes:
Black cloaks of excellence,
Of knowledge and pride.

My world ends
with darkness, with black;
My eyes are thresholds
that light cannot cross,
Shut windows with
blinds drawn across.

My world begins
and ends with darkness,
And black is the colour of my light.

---

Written during the Kozhikode District Youth Festival English Versification contest  for the theme "Darkness". Inspired by Sanjay Leela Bhansali's movie "Black" and Helen Keller's "Three Days to See".

Also, Happy New Year, everyone! Here's to an awesome 2013!