Song Of Shravana

When the dark rain-bearing clouds

Gather like mermaids afloat the ocean of sky,

I think I can hear your jingles on the verandah,

Your quick and playful steps, running up the stairs 

Reaching the verandah, from there running fast towards father's study, 

Where most of our growing years we spent, we two, 

You as my constant companion, in my wakeful hours, 

In my sleep too -like fairy tale dreams.

Every time I watch drops of rain,

Falling on blades of grass, leaves, petals, 

I think I get the idea of how you deck yourself up bathed, freshened, 

Every morning before you follow your mother to the puja room, 

Your home temple, 

Every time I find the rainbow appearing like a vivid skyscape, 

Colorful and vibrant,

I think I find your ribbons of pied colors, 

with which you tied up your cascading black stream of hair.