Traffic Semaphore

Coded in red, yellow, green

Mounted on a pillar so high

Re-painting the urban scene

Directions, displays and drivers

Gentle lights shimmered,

enough to stop rushing mob

Equating the chances;

for everyone to throb

Speed -bumpers couldn’t intervene

Mind was intra-vocal and dominant

Criss-crossing the passersby

Yet my speech was silent

Crimson halted the wheels

Afore the horizontal white bands

Marking the dusty towny limits

on those grey rough lanes

Swarm of naughty toddlers;

Siren of alarming ambulance;

Her hands wrapping his shoulders;

Spoilt lad’s galloping ignorance

Rhythm was audible in that “noise”

That you murmured for me

Leaning on your chest in poise

I once felt all serenity

“Ochre” was gleaming now my side

Fingers turned the keys

Ignition was “on”, set to drag

“ME”; hooked in your memories

Pits, Puddles; Potholes

Meters, Motors; Mirrors

Litter, Stones, Some gravel

Trees were sided to quiver

Masks, Scarves and few helmets

Gazing the digital figures

Hopes had reached before time

at places ; they wanted in eager

Somewhat Startled and “inept”

Amongst the shades of self

I picked up the one “inert”;

That survived without you

Aims; Smiles; Duties; Worries

Plans; Prayers; Promises; Patience

Chuckles; Sorrows; Regrets and Hurries

Queued up as if a cadence

Swerved from that “Traffic”

Chasing now the “Green” ; unsure

I have signed the covenant

bridging the puffed eyes and dreams

© Juhi Gupte