To George Floyd Poem by DEEPAK KUMAR PATTANAYAK

Like a leaf in a tree
You raised your head and eye
For dew and breeze
In such a day as
Sunny but colder grew the autumn sun
Drifting you down and down
As if in wintry air unto shivering
And groaning
Like a wind-born and time withering leaf
Wailing for life
Far, far away
On the chilling flurry
After lying on the roadside brown
You were gone
Though immune to the colder
Winter wind yet with a clap of thunder
You took your flight
Leaving your tiny weary eyes silent
And staring
And all in grief and shocking
But like a gem of splendor and a gem of flower
Flinging whiffs of perfume everywhere
Of admiration
And affection
Childlike and credulous
And touching us
Like morning and soul-like wing
Oh! How akin you were to human being
Brother, you flew far, far away
Darkening the sky
Yet hope persists you would turn again
With as many George Floyd as possible and settle as one
To make the bare branches look green and full
While I pray God in heaven, in peace rest your soul