The curse of expectations sullies our relationship
Taking it on a downhill journey
Through the jagged crevices
Of conceit and oneupmanship

Till it cannot bear the burden anymore
And cracks begin to be seen
Transforming the melody of our existence
Into a cacophonous nightmare

Where you are not the real you
And I am not the real I
Where the masks that we wear
Camouflage our sense of despair

Where the will to cause hurt
Touches a new crescendo
Where the war of words
Transforms into a battle of egos

Where the tyranny of ‘shoulds’
Governs our thoughts and behaviour
Where we do not pause even once
To give empathy a remote chance

Where I win, you lose or I lose, you win
A constant zero sum game
Is being played by both of us
Without a tinge of shame

Subir Chakraborty / 24th Dec 2018