The Two Friends
The chlorophylls have turned up for the date today
But deep blues of gloom in the green pot of clay
Pink sunshine lips have not kissed them of late
Incessant rain has left the plant saddening
Its friend a little boy works in the roadside tea stall
For want of money he chose to be a school dropout
He is anxious that the growing plant might wither out
Unrelenting monsoon has stopped it from growing
He shifts the green pot under a brightly burning electric lamp
Puts the pot on a bowl of water while softly caressing
The leaves with love opening the door of his lips
With smiling eyes the customers looking
Meanwhile clouds too have made way for the sun
But the boy has taken ill and the doctors say it's dengue
No money for treatment his parents can procure
They keep praying and the poor boy sinking
In spite of sunshine the plant withers again
Flickering flames at the bed cast long shadows
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