Maneuvering Darkness

A poem by Achuthan Panikath

Tue Mar 10 2026

To crave something so much
So dawns seem bleak
And to mourn with lids shut
As kettles pour love.

A space that you once feared
Slowly bloats up.
Till losses and kisses
Burn hearts to dust.

A walk in the dreamy
Galleried past
But now as the phone rings
No one in sight.

How then, pray tell, Do we
see in the dark?
To not lash at the love-
Give into plight?

You open your eyes now
Swim in the pain
Tune back into laughter
Out into dreams.

Hold strong your heart until
Your Warriors come.
It did take a minute
You'd turned off all lights.