Ashen Kash Flowers Poem by Saroj Padhi

Look here, we're still there
where you saw us months back-
beside the hill and craggy paths,
in pools, puddles and tanks
on swaths of fallow lands
and wild river banks-
almost everywhere we're there
but without the old beauty or flair
burnt under the sun's hard glare-
our vibrant white faces
tinged with an ashen hue
though washed by morning fog and dew
nourished by the same sunlight and air
but looking like grey masses
of scattered bones-
brown, befuddled and bare
without the charm of October days
when we were Goddess Durga's sweet lyre!

Now we have learnt a way of living and loving
we've matted our petals
like locks of yogi's unkempt hair,
grown indifferent to fog,
smokes and harsh rays
and to return early to earth,
for a rebirth,
our soul so fervently prays!