#Poattic16
#Pentastich
Under the floating leaves you stand….
Under the floating leaves you stand, realising how seasons’ve passed.
Oh they whizzed through, you’ve caught a wisp, a strand,
Of a season. You reminisced tasting its fruits right under
This guava tree. Suddenly, an ochre leaf touched your face.
A startled childish you, felt gold- kissed. In awe you watched…
****
Shimmering yellow leaves pass by…And each smells of yesterday!
Under the floating leaves you stand, realising how seasons’ve passed.
Knees-scraped, frocks torn and you remembered the furious fight,
In that sultry summer air, cussing fists rained on you!
And your mother saved you, she’s a creature of fetishes.
****
How mother hollered,”You’re skin is burnt like brown berries!”
“Crisp white, spotless, linen, torn because you clambered that branch!”
Under the floating leaves you stand, realising how seasons’ve passed.
Today, her shrill shriek rings in your ears, startling you.
Remember you sat grinning astride guava branches with bloomers soiled.
****
That delicious smell of leaves; and her furious wallop, “Thwack!”
“All those hours spent in vain on Granny’s rickety machine!
And look how you’ve rent this fine piece of lingerie!”
Under the floating leaves you stand, realising how seasons’ve passed.
Remember the noons you sneaked out, imitating the screeching birds.
****
Bees, you whacked with your hind hand, and watched enviously
Parrots perched on upper branches biting into the fleshy fruit.
What thrill to escape homework, and perch on guava trees,
And bite into their ripe, creamy, musky, red guava fruits.
Under the floating leaves you stand, realising how seasons’ve passed.
**********
Mumtaz Khorakiwala
20-6-2022
@anniespratt: Picture courtesy
