# Anika's Birthday Party Poem by Mamta Agarwal

At Anika’s birthday party,
The children in their finery
Were running about excited,

Proudly displaying
Their tattoos.

In the corner,
Sat a young boy
With his water colours.

Painting dainty designs
On outstretched arms.
As children patiently,
Waited for their turn
In a line.

I too was tempted
To get one on my wrist.
At first i hesitated
What will everyone think?

I couldn’t hold back my excitement,
Tentatively I went
Up to him and asked,
If he would paint
The most colourful butterfly
On my wrist.

Fascinated I watched
As it came out alive.

Soon, what did I see?
Other adults were
Queuing up
Behind me.

I wondered, Why do we
Suppress the
Child in us
As we grow into adults?