Once – Still – Now Poem by Basu Maan

Still, soft rain drizzles
upon this sleeping vale,
untimely shower washes
the pitch and gravel.

Still, from within the clouds
orange-yellow sun peeps out
and gently, consciously
lingers its hanging out.

Still, the coconut tree stoops,
leans upon the rooftop
to silently espy romance
in a mesmerized gallop.

Still, my heart beats hard,
looks out of the window
to see my love passing by
whenever it senses her shadow.

Once so living was life
here, in this flowery vale.
Now its quiet dead,
fossil and morose, dull and pale. (2005)