A day in summer

His red banner brushes the stars away
Sharp spears of yellow pierce through the night sky
With pride, the sun announces a new day

As sleep ebbs away, bright hues sting the eye
Birds hold council in deafening clamour
Perhaps exchanging notes before they fly

Cuckoos croon, parrots prattle and holler
While mynahs titter in good-natured jest
And rambunctious crows squawk without manner

Every being seems on a singular quest
Scurrying through day’s work in a frenzy
Before the golden orb attains its crest

As a white-hot sky spits fire and fury
Stifling all activity in its wake
The heat soars with ruthless ferocity

The earth itself starts to simmer and bake
Morbid, steamy winds bring little relief
Wreaking thirst that water can hardly slake

A weary silence looms, as though of grief
And yet the bountiful flowers smile bright,
Amidst lush foliage, like a motif

At last, the sun descends, yet full of spite
He blazes and fumes even in retreat
His banner sets the horizon alight

Life starts to billow, humble in defeat
Spurred by the gentle evening breeze, it grows
Into a flurry, enthused and upbeat

Birds sing of their travels, of highs and lows
Trees rustle softly, as if to whisper
About day’s travesty and night’s repose

It is the crickets’ mellifluous banter,
The gentle moon and night’s star-spangled grey
That immerses all in restful slumber

© Copyright 2008 Madhulika. All rights reserved.