A Wintry Evening

She didn't pause to wave at me,
Or, so I thought, that misty winter evening,
I snuggled over the thought, all night,
Was she put off my not heeding her?

The smile had deserted her,
Maybe, it was there, yet I couldn't see
The sparkles were missing,
Maybe, they were around, but I was too busy to notice,
The breeze wasn't in a hurry, that evening,
Nor was there a quiver in the leaves,
Maybe, they also missed her,
Before dream gathered,
Without eyes winking even for a moment!

She didn't turn to wave at me,
Or so it seemed, that December evening.
I couldn't be sure if she felt ignored,
Or, didn't want me spoilt.
Would she not cover her face, and blush again
If she runs through these verses,
I had scribbled that wintry evening,
Stretching under the open sky
Enjoying the chill in the breeze,
Missing the warmth of her hands,
As my face turned numb, even freeze,
As a drop of life trickled down
From the corner of my eye.

I can't tell if it was awe,
Of fondness, of pain, or, of loss
As she sailed across the sky,
And the night shone with a billion lamps!



© Sashikant Mohanty