Haunted by Dinesh Raheja

HAUNTED Last night, the dream came to haunt me again Trapped below an ice slab In a dark pool of icy cold water Unable to break through Breathless Hopeless My body slowly turning numb with fear my furtive hands desperately flapping the ice refusing to thaw even as I beat against it from below My eyes ... I can see them for once As if they were another’s Have become dilated with horror Why is no one near? My muffled cries, why can’t anybody hear? Who has trapped me, how will it end, if at all? Suddenly I sit up with a start I am in my bed with my mobile and laptop My pillow has born the brunt of my strength I have clutched it in sleep till it has gone limp Sweating profusely Seized with fear In the dead of the night, my heart seized with cold fear I stir out to make myself a cup of steaming hot coffee Tomorrow is another day I tell myself to soothe my nerves Even as I absent-mindedly stir the spoon in the mug Wishing my living room had white lights, not yellow But I know Night will descend again The dream will be here, to haunt me ... again