A Sore Guest Poem by DEEPAK KUMAR PATTANAYAK

A sore guest


Only yesterday;
I heard your
Knocking
At my door
Through window
I saw a transparent
Odorless soul
Standing tall
Covering
The space sizeable
And wearing an outfit
Made of mud
Of red-yellow kill
Very practical
Rather than fashionable
Ceaseless it was raining
The sun was setting
Furious winds blowing
And into the whole space
Slowly and steadily
The darkness creeping
Waves after waves
Splashing the door
And I could hear
The loud, terrific roar
Trying to force open the door
Frightened I kept indoors
Full moon around
And the sea sitting proud
Refusing the guest
To accommodate in her abode
As a result
The water as a guest
Sitting near my door
Wishing to be my overnight guest
I fell asleep wearied
Only to see day next
The footprints of guest
Imprinted large on land
Anguish inflicted
Foul smell left
And the path slippery
The sore guest made......

(Note-This is in reference
To Failine storm and following
Flood that devastated the Odisha
Coast, India, on 13-10-2013)