Stripped Bare

The Snake in the Grass by Fathima Ahmed

Dedicated to Rinu, for being the snake to my wind.

You and I were never alike

to me, you were the fake

I was original

or at least I tried to be

someone who learnt

from your evident mistakes

But I am no better than you

If what I desire,

what I seek as closure

is for you to feel the same exposure,

you give to those you dislike.

For you to have a taste

of your own medicine.

But if I am original

why would I need to be a fake,

to move on with my own life?

What do I seek

by stooping down to

your level of intellect,

when I could do so much better?

They say the largest battles fought

are the ones we fight in secret

What would I really gain

to see your downfall?

To whom do I need to prove

your true nature, true colours,

when you are perfectly capable

of proving them to the world yourself?

I do not need that closure anymore,

to prove to the world

what you were capable of.

How you tried ever so many a time,

to break me and shake me,

with intimidation and condescension!

To shred what little self confidence I had,

to shatter what little spirit I had.

Unfortunately for you,

your ploys failed!

I learned to rise up,

to stand up for myself.

You see, you became so transparent,

so obvious were your intentions and actions,

it was hard not to see 

how envy can cloud

an educated mind!

Thanks to your schematics,

I realized the problem

was not me at all,

but in fact it was your own

inferiority complex.

You took out your own,

insecurities and fears

of someone who could

challenge your "status" -

on to me before you barely even KNEW me!

No matter, I need to let 

bygones be bygones.

Move on with my life I must,

because you  are my past,

you are no longer a part of it

and now you can no longer dictate 

how I live.

You probably think you won the last battle.

You probably gloated at ruining me,

but don't forget who gave it to you 

who gave you the reason for that glee!

Do not forget I gave it to you 

on a silver platter no less,

and do not expect to escape unscathed!

What you reap is what you sowed

Actions have a Consequence

What you give to others,

is what you will receive in return.

Not all what glitters is gold.

A beautiful snake whose skin glitters,

that lies still in the grass

is only capable of spitting out poison.

You are that snake and I am the silent wind

You cannot touch me nor taint me anymore,

and as I retreat, unseen to you,

are the vultures who will

sweep in and pick at you.

They shall pick at that beautiful skin 

you so proudly flaunted.

For tongues will most certainly wag

about those who really need to hear it.