Inspired by the sweltering Indian 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 |