MASQUERADE

Some people think

I understand them,

They respond to my words,

Sometimes

They do this

Because they think

I understand them

I read their words,

See in them the ‘me’

They create

Interact with it,

And realise

I don’t understand them

Perhaps because

I don’t really understand

Myself

Yet, out of respect,

I conceal from them,

From those who think

I understand them,

The unsavoury truth that

I don’t understand them

(DEEPAK NIKUNJ)