Sand Storm !

Friends , During the month of May and June , both northern and western India are prone to sand storms , which cools the atmosphere only temporarily ! This poem was written during the hot summer month of May, when such a storm was raging over Delhi ! SAND STORM ! All through the sultry and humid day, The sky had grown angry and reddish grey! And the evening suddenly became very still, As an eerie silence crept therein ! When suddenly from the sky came rushing out, Making a prolonged wistling and gushing sound, As if some beastly hounds have been let out , There came the raging, ravaging, sand storm! Lashing the tree tops and smashing window panes , Uprooting old trees by road side and lanes! Ravaging and railing with its destructive force, Blew the angry and relentless sand storm! As papers and packets and old withered leaves, Flew around like threadless kites on this Summer's eve! All my collected thoughts, desires and dreams, Flew helter-skelter with the winds up high! Like rudderless ships without direction, With the wirlwind in its maddening motion, With dust in my hair, in my eyes and mouth ; As the sand storm raged all around and about! And after some time like a spent out force, The storm abated as night drew close! With dust in my hair, in my eyes and mouth, While a pleasant coolness prevailed all around! Dust am I, and to dust I shall return, Once I wake up from my earthly trance! And with the raging sand storm I shall rage one day, To join in its maddening dance in the month of May ! -Raj Nandy