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Slam book cover
POEMS
Created: 1st October, 2021

Space

Space by Sharan Hunjan

 

Why are you so quiet

Why do you shrink like you don’t belong

 

This space is not big enough to hold you

You and me and them and you, you

Shrink

Shrink like a lotus flower lost

In a dead spring

Lost and you shrink

 

This space is not for you

 

They ask

Why are you so quiet

Why have you learnt from others

 

From unsaid unmoving words

That you should sit quietly

Wait your turn

Let others take that space

 

Did no one tell you

Space is infinite

 

Space is yours for the taking

Space is a void

It is a boundless bountiful beautiful space

Where the stars dust and twist and turn

 

In their space so take your time

Quiet brown girl

It is not white

Despite what they might make you think

In fact, it is black

 

In this dark matter

Of space

Take it and run

Run or jump or shout or fly

See how far you can this take space

And you will see that when you close your eyes

The dark space is there

Is mine

Is yours

Is ours

 

Stand

Shoulders back

Face forward

Eyes fixed like dark planets

Revolving evolving

Involving you

Take this space

It is yours.

 

Own it.

 

© Sharan Hunjan, from SLAM! You’re Gonna Wanna Hear This, chosen by Nikita Gill, Macmillan, 2020

VIDEOS

Nikita Gill - Space by Sharan Hunjan

Video