The wind resting on the swinging branches
Heaved a deep sigh
I heard a groan amidst the drowning noise of the speeding cars
Did it come from the nearby half mutilated trees?
I wondered as I walked down the road lost in meditation
On my early morning walk
The stench around suddenly roused me
I stopped awhile waking up from my dreamy rumination
Dog lovers with their doting pets had ‘gratified’ the footpath
Cows lowing and mowing had doused the street with their pancake dung
The mucky smell had soiled the silent fragrant morn
The bright merry aromatic breeze had recoiled
Taking refuge on the heavily laden branches
The streets littered with flying objects
Ruthlessly thrown by the people
On un -swept roads covered with dirt and dust
Had distempered the pathways
Somewhere potholed roads filled with puddles
Contaminated the aroma of peaceful cogitation
People searching for a road to walk upon
Looked up vacantly at the footpaths occupied by vendors
And
Even those who possessed glamorous car showrooms
Had parked their cars and two wheelers
On the pathway… encroaching it
No law can prevent them from doing so
“Capital’ rules everywhere
No one can walk safely on the roads
Fearing a speeding vehicle
Slums at every nook and corner
Presenting a hideous morning sight
Distracts your rummaging fancy
When shall we become
Dedicated and respectable citizens of ‘free’ India
~Shobha Diwakar
Jabalpur, India