Happy Holi (A Dry One) Poem by Seema Jayaraman

A Dry Holi - 24 March,2016

How do I explain to my little ones - A Dry Holi
Eagerly were they waiting to color their pals
Counting on tiny fingers days weeks and months
The day for outburst of colors, joy and spring
Day for a thorough drench in colorful Holi rains

How do I tell them the sorry tale
Wrath of the Sun on Earth has wrung
Land parched cracking not a drop to drink
My son's stand sad with empty water guns
Elsewhere little finger thirstily tilts to lips a muddy tumbler

Life here in metros trodden by fast pace, water bought
Societies ensconced from harsh footpath realities
Spontaneity, life's color - our souls joy de verve
Regaled to good ole photos and fairy tales
Now monsoons failed thanks to El-Nino man-made

The spiri Drt of Holi will be cherished
The fun and camaraderie experienced
In raunchy songs blared on loud speakers
In soulful longings dripping through saucer eyes
As little ones sit glued TV tuned to old filmi songs

But today on this special day - Holi
colors will not be smeared on little palms,
cheeks are drenched only with tears
No gleeful ringing of friends chased with colors
The clothes and soul will remain pristine

While Out by the roadsides and tattered shanties
Other young ones crouch seeking shelter
From the scorching merciless Sun
With cracking lips and muddied limbs
Gaze at large hoardings of bottled mineral water

My hand on my young Sons bent shoulder
We watch yet another brilliant dawn
With a crystal chime between us and a blazing Sun
Our eyes meet through dancing refracted colors
Hesitatingly smeared on us the joy of Rainbow colors
- - - -
Happy Dry Holi - 24 Mar 2016