After the big storm,
the birds have fallen silent.
The voyaging breeze
brings with it,
the smell of ruination.
There is nothing in the landscape but sadness.
The thatch roofs are to be re-laid;
floors have holes where the water has dripped.
I imagine hairy caterpillars crawling, everywhere.
No might could have forestalled Nisarga.
To conclude:
Who can pick a quarrel with nature?
O, let's thank the gods.
Lives have been spared.

 

Mumbai
9th June 2020

 

                          

Geeta Chhabra

 

(From Lockdown Collection)