The Broken Shadows

On dark endless frosty winter nights

When the wind was wild with fury,

Everyone ached to open up their heart

Start afresh and be a little more considerate, 

For the teeth clattering cold

Had fueled the need for human warmth,

Bustling sidewalks had ceased to exist

And all that survived the storm, 

Was a forlorn and weary soul or two

Not only fighting the chilling gusts but also life,

Dull warm coats with their garb of loneliness

Had enveloped humanity in materialistic pursuits,

Teary eyes were searching for solace

But all that one had gained was selfishness,

Paraffin lamps kept it bright in luxurious houses

While the hearts of the inmates burned in agony,

A tiny matchstick would have sufficed

If someone could envelop another in a warm hug,

Streets were quickly cleared of snow and dirt

The pretention of being perfect must continue,

Even though one might be broken inside

It was called a patchwork of abstractness,

They said this void couldn’t be defined

Or maybe there was a lingering fear,

By letting go of the carefully constructed façade 

The veil behind which we all hid,

And buried the darkest secrets and despises deep.