I am the bird that nested in my empty home

I am the summer sunshine that trespassed my gloom

I am the loving city that welcomed me as a returning friend

I am the long hours of work – and catharsis

I am my child, and my father

I am my mother, and my Hindi teacher

I am the classics I read, and the poetry I wrote

I am the dream, and the reality.

I am the unknown person

Who pulled me unconscious from the smoking room

I am the incomprehensible being

That answers my prayers every morning

I have fallen from grace and seen grace from the fallen

I have floated in water and swum in self-pity

I am the nameless conviction that goes on

I am the carefree boundless spirit.

I am what I said, and what is heard

I am infallible, victorious, unvanquished

I am my fears, I am my tears

I am someone’s smile, and nose

I am my pet cat, and the offspring she trusted me with

I am the offspring I was not trusted with

I have swum with the stars, and bathed in gold

I am all the above, and yet nothing at all.