In stories that linger

In stories that linger,

I find my happy place.

To the tales, I tinker,

brimming in desire for solace.

Let me! Hear my call;

Allow me to dive and fall.

A hero’s journey or the death of a mentor,

A lover’s wrath or a chosen one,

Journey to a castle or the earth’s center,

Happily ever after or flying too close to the sun,

From epilogues to all-consuming ends,

Protaganists wearing hero’s garbs are not our friends.

In stories that linger,

I find my happy place.

I question the tropes that trigger,

the one truth we face -

That in the embrace of love destined to cease,

One day I will find my peace.

- Shanya Ruhela (11.02.24)

In stories that linger was written while organising the above shelf which Hedwig disapproves of.