India: Salma

Breathing

Everything happens so quickly
before I can feel it.
I keep trying to feel something
before it's too late.
It all happens in my name
without me being there.
Flowers, people,
the world is so much bigger than me.
Should I carry on breathing
If I'm not really here?

Translated by Hari Rajaledchumy.

From the collection Chuttum Vizhichchudar.