An idea of a fine balance.

An idea of a fine balance.

I used to tip toe on railway tracks,

when I was six,

and my fate seemed bright.

and my idea of a fine balance,

was to not trip once and go six miles.

To beat the other urchins,

behind me.

I used to tip toe,

when the tracks vibrated,

and the train seemed too far,

too far to murder my younger brother,

who had only learnt to walk.

I used to tip toe,

when the pebbles below,

seemed to play along,

and tickle my feet,

and I used to pretend it was a pleasant breeze,

of an ocean I only saw photographs of,

on the back door of the barber's shop.

I used to tip toe,

when they carried my mother,

to the funeral ground they said was a garden,

a garden where kids weren't allowed.

I'm still tip toeing,

to the railroads of life,

where I see a train every now and then,

some to take me along,

and some to gift me my brother's fate.

I still am tip toeing,

to fight with these strong feet,

to achieve that fine balance,

that has been an idea in me for long,

so that I walk, and not tip toe anymore..

-Nil.