Thoughts in a box

Every night I neatly pack my thoughts in a box

I tie the contents, check the lock

Go back to the box, and check again.

I rattle the box to see if the contents are still there

You laugh at me...The mean(o) that is you!

You whisper, "O - C -  D!"

You know we can always have an argument on that!

I mean, really! Who is better at it?!

And every morning they start sneaking out of the box!

I don't know how

I promise I closed it well

You saw me doing it. Didn't you?

Please do not laugh at me now! 

It almost feels like these thoughts have a way 

of multiplying themselves, I tell you!

While I am away sleeping and as the sun touches them

They somehow start behaving like the active yeast 

that you use for your bread. 

You know, how they behave

when they come in touch with drops of molasses!

My thoughts behave much the same. 

I hope you are not sneaking in some of your yeast in my box,

From those cup-boards that remain closed in all your photographs!

I truly hope there is no secret tunnel that leads to my box

Because early in the morning these thoughts start pouring over!

I sit by the box and I take good care of them

I pick each one of them patiently and put back.

They amaze me with their sheer number! 

How can there be so many?

I counted and folded and packed them only last night

Give me a break! I tell them. 

But no such luck!

By the afternoon, I can not pick them up anymore

Tired, I just give up! I let them flow -  

They dance, sing and laugh all around me

They flow like that mountainous river.

Get me wobbly on my feet, catch me off balance - 

I am a play thing for them, you know!

But then, as the night darkens, 

They always fall asleep crying!
They howl for long at their own existence.

Every night. Without fail. On the floor. 

Exhausted!
I pick them up then. However tired I am 

I look at each one of them with much tenderness

Fold them neatly and put them in the box.

I check the lock twice. Thrice on some days...

You whisper, "O - C - D"!

I just smile at you.