Monsoon, Kolkata

Incessant showers

Thunderous clouds

Glistening raindrops

Trickling down window panes

Vibrant Nature

The lone lady on her ‘monsoon’ path

Bent low under chores and tasks

The mosque tower amidst pelting rain

Choked by-lanes… trapped paperboats

And mesmerizing Tagore

Melancholy…

Victoria Memorial and Howrah Bridge through the haze

Boys cheering the match turners

Wind-swept mud-smeared

But determined for a victory

The church compound carpeted

With waving yellow rain-lilies

Our daffodils

The Divine mother being hauled to safety

The craftsmen cannot risk

Their art…their gain

The city in the deluge

People braving the waist-deep water

To make early ‘puja’ bargains

The tricolor wet and limp

But the spirit of freedom undying

My rain-drenched city in myriad ‘monsoon’ shades …