Smog Poem by Saroj Padhi

Slowly Night drags her tired feet back
from our sleeping alleys drowned by dense fog,
to wash her face with black waters
from great river Yamuna
on whose express-ways
cars with dimly burning headlights
clash under dark crimson sunlight
and accident victims howl
like sacrificial animals in fright-
of guillotine under shadow of dark death
when the capital city
is struggling tooth and nail for normal breath!

Smokes from vast acres of burning stubbles
from distant accursed crop fields rush in
choking all life down the throat
as pests gloat over their voracious feed
and unlucky farmers brood over some dire deed!

Angel Priyas however come floating in
like morning fairies with plastic flowers
tucked in their scented braids under shower of fog,
smelling of crushed womb of earth and wet log,
to appease customers without schedule for the day
who madly crave for their long awaited lusty hug.