By: Kousik Adhikari

Like an ancient tree you know all the seasons, its colors
why it changes in the rain and after the smell of rain-soaked earth
spells magic, I have seen you listen rain tickling through its core
drops by drops, then vanish
as if nothing was there.
when I see you walking on the busy-sun road of melting pitch
I only see the twigs, branches, leaves and roots in a web smashing
rooms, ceilings, skies, skull of hard cities and cover, cover all.
after the night rushing darkness that ends in dead lanes to return again,
as if it is the only little secret it learns,
I know, I have finished the earth
and a tree is needed, if needed at all.