May I Know? — Abnish Singh Chauhan

Hello, I am your poem,
and you are my poet!
May I ask you something,
my dear poet?

I know—
I am neither Nachiketa1
nor Arjuna,2
yet a question
stirs within me:
‘why did you create me?’

Will you not answer,
knowing
how deeply
I long to know?

Will you not offer
even a fragment of truth,
or whatever remains
in the wake of post-truth?

I know—
to explain,
you must speak,
sending your message
to one who listens.

May I know,
my dear poet—
why do you refuse
to speak to me?
Am I not worthy
to learn, unlearn, and relearn?

***




Footnotes:
1. Nachiketa: The protagonist of an ancient Indian dialogue on the nature of the atman (soul).
2. Arjuna: A legendary warrior and prince in the Mahabharata.