All Engulfing Palm Poem by Seema Jayaraman

Grasping the warm strong
all engulfing palm
scrambling up the path
of a boulder filled hill
lit beneath the ochre
of the settling sun
shying from the wait
in the ever patient eyes

in the outskirts of a
dimly lit suburb
with only a dilapated
crumbling shrine atop
marking the passing away
of eons, when once
every few centuries
we clambered uphill

not knowing whether to run
downhill or continue holding
the palms pulling uphill
to the promise of magic
to be spun in the embrace
of velvety evening
unraveling sparkling stars
shooting in dilated pupils
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Copyright ©Seema Jayaraman, Mumbai 23Jan2006 All Rights Reserved