Betrothal

BETROTHAL was sure you'd come Waiting on the steps Saw a hawk circling Across blue sky. My hair glittered in twilight Slippery steps , algae invading Eyelashes flickered in kajal. My face glowed in the bronze mirror. Weave yet another cool breeze On my unveiled cheeks, my love. Humming raga, MEGHA MALHAR1 I visualized rain murmuring White threads of rain caressing Welcome clouds of invoking rain Like a diver-bird Diving to get taste of our love. Rain subsided, silence conceived love Rain wept...........silky threads Rain slept. Twilight gives way to darkness Confidence fading off. Can't he feel my anguish ? Smell of clotting blood pierced nostrils, Petrified, I saw white ants eating love up- In delirium squashing head on wall, I fainted. Darkness shrouded Your fragrance estranged I couldn't live with you Nor can I live a life without you. Shedding smiles, weeping dreams, hopes Even myself to darkness, Clad in brocade silk saree Hands stretching out To maids, sitting around MEHANTHY2 decorating entwined fears, Roots of brutal death. I could't die with you. Outside writhing in pain, Tender blood oozing, Sacrificial prey, Becoming ritual mark on forehead Fumes of camphor, clot of life Blessing for long marital status. Frozen tears spreading Into a surrealistic painting, Life dead in the hour of death Leaving my dead soul, bride Clad in blue silk. 1 Hindustani Raga.Tanen sang this raga invoking rain.