Deepak Manchanda of Delhi (Sep 5 / Ludhiana, Punjab)

Like one building a high wall
Brick by brick
I build a higher and higher tower
Of hesitations
And stand myself up on top of it.
As I look down then, all around
From my portion of sky

Hesitating.
Hesitating.
To say
This is my fault. I apologise.
To laugh.
And cry, as all other creatures do.

From my tower
Amidst the Gardens
Of sweet fruit and bright flowers below
I see

The wife with whom I would not speak
An exciting stranger to whom I could not smile
A spirited boor with whom I should not mix
And all the fantasies at which I could only look.

Climbing.
Brick by brick
Rising
Over the plundered Garden all around
I hesitate.
Mop the sweat off my brow
And then build

A loftier tower
Brick by brick.