Diwali - A Short Story in Short Lines.

The way to Hatti Dunga is uphill….

No roads…just fields of Cardamom,
Chestnut, Fig, Orchids, and Ferns
Hollow trees and tinkling Mules,
And cows with giant horns.

This is the home
of Pandas…Bear and Boar.
A Clouded Leopard sleeps alone.
Banana tree and Marigolds.

Prayer flags unfurl…
Small dervishes caught in a windy whirl.
Birdsong …and distant Mountain Peaks.
And ginger Morning Tea.

A spotless well swept yard.
A kitten jumps at butterflies,
And lunch is Chicken Curry
served on leaves…

Night falls… a lonely horn
Carved from the thighbone of a girl,
Blows soft into the night.
The evil spirits leave upon the sound.

At dawn…along the forest path to Hee,
Kangchenjunga’s cloaked in mystery.
A dragon fly on psychedelic wing
sweeps down towards Diwali,… down the hill.

Diwali city Lives…!
The Festival of Lights begins…

And in the darkness of the night
In multi-coloured swirl and trance…
Bangles and gracious costume dance,
Alluring in the flickering lights.

And lying in my morning bed.
I read all this…a quasi dream !
I read it in a magazine !

Kristine Byrne . 6am 12th Jan 2021