Aswath Krishnan

Dobby, the lovable elf in Harry Potter, is often filled with so much self-loathing that it’s hard to watch. You want to hug him and reassure him that he’s okay and he’s loved. It’s even harder because Dobby isn’t just a fictional character in a made-up magical world. Dobby is very real - we all have one within us.  Our inner Dobby is often our meanest boss, negligent carer, and harshest critic. Inner Dobby is often upset or unhappy with us. Inner Dobby never thinks we are good enough. Inner Dobby never thinks we deserve a break.  I want to hug mine and everyone else’s inner Dobby, and reassure them with this short poem - 

I am outraged! Aren’t you? They are out there Saying lies   That defy us! Wait, wait   Who are they?   Who is us? Weren’t we all Just one? And these lies   What are they? Do they hold No truth, frustration Or hidden pain?     Listen I didn’t listen But I do know. Their team and tone   Say enough. We must retaliate Or we’ll lose!   Maybe we can   Pause and truce. Mingle together And learn more.    We may fare better   In some middle ground. You silly   This is war! Haven’t you heard? Choose your side   Or step aside. Only one will remain They or us!

I can’t stop There’s always Something more Until I finish This bottomless scroll A tweet, a meme A staged pic Of vanilla ice cream Fake news And strong views Highlight reels Of people I barely know Been an hour What did I do? Saw random stuff Got more FOMO Piled up chores And unrealized goals Helped Zuckerberg Buy a nice boat Can’t sleep My eyes are tired Brain’s wired Oh god I need saving From this Dopamine craving Aswath

Seeing a flower Makes me wonder Why such beauty Has to naturally end From bud to bloom To an inevitable gloom Perhaps it is To make us Appreciate it more Perhaps it is To give life To some things new Perhaps the end Is just an illusion There never is one As our lives just continue as many different ones Aswath

Let me be blunt, There is none Trust no one who Says they know one No one knows  Why we are  Or where  We go next But since we are  And since we feel I say it’s better  To feel peace, joy  and love  Than sorrow  Or hate  How you do that Is up to you Here’s a clue -  It’s all in you. Spread it around With the golden rule Aswath