Frozen
Tonight is fairylights, putting me to bed
for the seventh time, failing at the job
for the seventh night, I try help
drag myself out of the ice, stare
at fresh air that had promised
to hold me, let me share
my fire, the morning will become
a shopping cart, chocolate at last
will for days remind me, it is
there, inside my bag, screaming
a desperate cry, like inside me-
who’s here? someone’s here
with me, the afternoon will shrink
into green tea, smelling like stale
lemons, as abandoned as numb
as hot water in my self-love-cup
on the bedtable, probably proud
of all the battles I’ve overcome
this week, shivering evening will leave
me frozen again, like everything
eventually leaves- jalebi or chai
burning my tongue, the burns
I wouldn’t mind, I crave, until
I return home, I thank, I hug
all things trying to melt me.
About the poet:
Bhumika (she/her) is an Indian poet, Kathak dancer and legal academic based in Cambridge, UK. She has previously featured on Button Poetry, BBC Words First, Apples and Snakes, Toronto Poetry Slam and Airplane Poetry Movement. She writes on privilege, heritage, and mental health to bring together languages, art forms, and people. You can follow her on Instagram or Twitter
About the artist:
My name is Madhuvanti, I'm a queer artist from Chennai. I work as a Video Designer for a digital marketing agency to pay rent, and I make art on mental health, gender, sexuality, living with my flatmate and politics to keep my heart up and about. My current hobby is breaking down and analysing Marvel movies, and trying to enjoy doing the house chores. You can find me on Instagram @madhuvanti.art or my website