Breathing is a clock

no alarm, no tick-tock

only serve, count the punishment named ‘life’

without a knock.

It goes on, even when you want it to stop

Even in the times of shock.

Yes, it’s there too, when you smile and laugh

laugh out loud

But just after a while, you find

it was there to mock.

Laughter turns to shout

Shout out loud.

You roar through tears.

But nobody hears.

Your breath is still there

As a witness, as a clock.

– Tasneem Mahmood Chowdhury