Kerala Monsoon Poem by Shankaran Kutty

It lashes across the Kerala coast
The heaviest rains the nation can boast
Bursting promptly on the first of June
Behold! It is the Kerala Monsoon

In school we used to crib and fret
The first day of school had to be wet
After two long months of sunshine and fun
We hated the rain, wanted it no one

Rolls of thunder and lightning streaks
Overflowing streams and creeks
People dancing over puddles on road
Like rivers by roadside, water flowed

Umbrellas would pop up everywhere
Bright coloured raincoats for children to wear
Most refreshing would be a hot cup of tea
My mom used to struggle, to keep healthy we three

Water filled to patio brim
For many little huts the scene was grim
Floated paper boats on the courtyard pond
Dark clouds lined up to the horizon and beyond

Trees creaked under the water’s weight
We would wait in vain for the rains to abate
The football ground would become a lake
We hated from games, this forced weather break

And when the rains would slow to a drizzle
On the sodden ground would resume football battle
Amma would shout, “it is raining still”
We would play in the rain against her will

Mushrooms would start sprouting soon
The nights were dark for hidden was the moon
The nights were cold and we would chill and shiver
Many would fall sick, with a cold or fever

Two months it would rain with hardly a break
Leaving a trail of destruction in its wake
Many fishermen would lose their lives at sea
Gone to fetch fish for you and me

Frustrated, we are left to desperately pine
For a little streak of bright sunshine
To see the land so bright and dry
To banish the dark clouds and see the blue sky

Come middle of August and the Gods sense our pain
The sun slips out as the rains slowly wane
Hurray! we scream as we rush out to play
The monsoon is forgotten till end of next May.