Smooth as the river’s flow,
yet sometimes murky, discoloured
your face shifts shades endlessly!
Even so, the crimson blooms of
Krishnachura (Delonix regia)
smile at the sight of you.
In your memory, restless noons
weep in muffled sobs,
while the stars of night
sigh in broken breaths.
Still, the river keeps its course,
the estuary waits unchanged.

Tomorrow, after so long,
a new dawn will arrive,
a fresh promise sparkling in its folds,
the soul ready for its unveiling.
In the silent ritual of an untamed heart,
I must wade through quicksand ribs,
to reach the shores of trust.

The sun’s oath has pushed back
a fortnight of shadow,
but you remain only ash and embers of memory
in you burns ceaseless time.

Boundaries were drawn in your name,
beds and cupboards divided,
even dhotis and kurtas apportioned!
For you, I took to the streets,
bearing the demands of my heart,
in unbidden fervour.

Eastern winds coiled into western spirals,
yet I, the uninvited,
continue to move toward you.