Anvita Prabhala

My parents tell me I need to grow some more 
In speed and in strength and in mind; in my spine 
(Don’t worry; it’s in a well-meaning way) 
But I worry. I worry about a lot… 

They say to live a good life you must do no harm 
Because morals are entrenched in all you will do 
(Know you must keep your head down and your smile soft) 
Know you must tally up your life to pay your dues 

I find myself with an essential question: 
How do you do no harm in a harmful world? 
(I know this truly: nothing is harmless) 
I hate it when I make others unhappy 

But needs are different; choices must be made 
Who is acceptable collateral? 
(The answer is never “no one” when pressed) 
There is no right answer. We are all wrong 

The cat tries to eat; the bird tries to live 
Eventually, one will have to lose 
Can what comes next be counted as your fault? 
I don’t know. I don’t think I ever will