Between Your Ponytails Poem by Saroj Padhi

Katak,
Why do you always try to cage me
between your two pony tails
in their cascade-like flow
down to vast fertile lands of imagination
where I am a captive to the moist musk
of million flowers bursting with affection?

Why does your sandy mud stick to my tired feet
like obstinate memories,
like dust on old cowries
with anguish of adolescent love so replete?

Why do you always haunt me
like a youthful dream in the corridors of eternal Time
turning me into a dumb lover
of your ethereal beauty in morning mist,
your holy chants from a devoted priest
singing the glory of Goddess Durga
in Autumn's pleasant evenings
when Goddesses Chandi, Banadurga and Gadachandi
offer flowers of joyous blessings?

Your heights awe me
with enchanting views of the Mahanadi
from the steps of Lord Siddheswar's temple
where my beloved God-mother
offers ambrosia from heaven
as my steps to a sweet world above does quicken.