Emotional Djinn

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What djinns exist in lamps of ours

From Marakkesh and Ceuta

Kashmir and Agra

Or Singapore?

Some on tables next to living room samivars

Others on a Spanish castle-step bed-stand

One favorite in a dining room curio case

A tiny one shelved with German and Japanese toys

All lovingly collected

When travel was unrestricted

And the only constraint?

A school calendar of classes

I sit here

In my bottle—in my room,

Waiting

To be released.

My surgical mask 

Is my veil.

Modesty

Or mortality?

My universe

Of friends, family

Cities and countries—

Imploded in a puff of smoke. 

Memories and emotions bottled up,

Kinetic artifacts.

Souvenirs—

Proofs tangible

I had a life.

I moved.

I met.

I was.

Is it sadness?

That I could have done better.

Is it introspection or regret?

That or listening to the tarnishing of brass?

Now I am.

Here I wait.

To be.

To live again.

Until the wisher’s rub

Or all-clear sounds,

Here I will be—

An emotional Djinn.