The little swallows

That once sat twittering

On the window sill

No longer chirp.

The empty skyline

Once lined with their crowning glory

No longer swim in the sky.

“Where have all the birdies gone?”

Whispered my child…

“Has God taken them away to another sky?”

“Where, oh where will I ever see?

Birds returning to their nests in the

Shelter of the trees?

“They are maimed. No nest can be built”

Softly whispered I.

“Where will they nest?”

“Where will they sleep?”

“Where will they rest their child?”

Was the child’s anguished cry?

                                                   ~Shobha Diwakar

                                                     Jabalpur, India