The dust- laden roads

Lay decked with russet brown leaves

Some dead to the honking cars madly rushing

Crushing and deadening the already dead leaves

Screeching under the mad wheels with no concern

Others driven away by the frosty wind

Biting into the skin

Those brushed away, sighed relief

The cloudy morn lifted the barrier for a moment

 As the sighing sun struggled to wipe away the mist

A shivering tree bowed down to the first falling rays

Beckoning the morning glory

The twittering birds spread their wings to leave their nests

While the misty morn lifted its veil to kiss the slender sunshine

Somewhere beyond the rising sun

A lonesome cloud melted its foggy tentacles

To mingle with the fleeting dawn

                                                                             ~Shobha Diwakar

                                                                                Jabalpur, India