Deluge Poem by Anuradha Bhattacharyya

Vulture
You will be terrified of this deluge
Not seasoned in fine weather.
You will be daunted by this display
Of gaiety and indulgence.
Were you a migratory bird
That sweeps over the mountains
To learn about other climates,
Places of abundance and mirth,
You could have saved the shock.
This is not your place, my dear,
Fly off. Not here, not here.

Vulture
You cannot terrify the lizard
That slithers out of its skin every year.
You cannot gather the flavor
Of smoke before fire.
You can no longer linger over
Matter that regenerates itself.
Were you my friend in good and strife,
Were you a travelling partner in life,
You could have deserved
A beautiful favour.
But no. Not here. Not here.