Wrapped in mist and wet light
the flower blooms promisingly,
by afternoon it talks of glory,
its healing colours and curing smell.
When the demons descend in the dark
evil scorpions and vicious serpents
pour venom into the flower, it drops down, gnawed and cankered,
Its promise of glory unkept
(Bhaskar Roy is the author of FIFTY YEAR ROAD; his new novel, BORDER CROSSERS is coming out shortly.)
