When pain tugs beauty into recesses
Too deep for flirtatious friends,
Who must retire or pause their
Mining for gems, such as hoped,
A smile, a joke or a fond word
Or two, to reward their pains,

Then better they shine a torch,
Or light a flame, for ways back
To ease of mind, and calm of soul,
And familiar sights, not frights
From dark and demonic rocks,
Best to rest and breathe in peace.


©Sanjib Basu