Who among us, is a prince among men- apart from the sinews of pariahs?

Who among us, rises above the layers of theatrical pretence?

Who among us, removes the strata of armour we don every day?

Who among us, reaches, first, for the hand of friendship- fearless of the glinting cynicism?

Who among us, sacrifices red pearls of the prickling thorns for the equal red of vivacious roses?

Who among us, is of sworn courage to reach for an array of passive cruelties?

Who among us, peers into an ocean gilded with the self-deception of razor-sharp mockery?

Who among us, dares to walk the Earth without girding and hardening our tender hearts thusly?

Who, indeed?

~Anantinee Mishra

New Delhi, India