color- the poetry version
the day ended
senses regained
the silent DJ
gathered his quiet speakers
tent & water sprinklers
unfastened
lie forlorn
on the ground
cleaning army moves in
washing off colors
stubbornly clinging
to the paver blocks
it’s a lost battle
the pressure from water jets
is too much
down the drain they go
meeting colors
scrubbed off bodies
as revellers reach home
shedding colour & dirt
that the “rain” missed
the drains swirl
carrying everything
from colony to colony
united in filth
from every direction
to the west
emptying it all into
a tired ocean
back then
all it took
was a few sweets
some Limca and Thums up
even samosas
if the collection was generous
a few whistles
from the compound below
crowned by gulmohars
our playground
would come to life
aunts and uncles
left formality at home
the sternest would
jive the most
inhibitions gave way
to good natured ribbing
misunderstandings, small disputes
accumulated over the year
the colors would erase
newer ones would start immediately after;
in the cricket match that followed
the song, dance and food
like the tab at your tapri
an eternal cycle
all said and done
it was a time gentler
the colors brighter
the songs in tune
the words heartfelt
the music unplugged
the hands conscious
the vibe never straying
from fun
the only thing shady
were the gulmohars at Juhu
as they came out of winter
victorious
the sky and the sea
were always blue
companions both
watching
new colors emerge
watching
a season change
these days
the sky is bathed
a sullen grey
as for the sea
I don’t really know
been a while
since I said hello
