Life

Dawn breaks the seal of night

sky's spotlight brightens,

incremental light showers joy,

the morning cup cheers the air

breakfast sounds resound

the kitchen like an echo chamber.

At noon the sun hits the meridian

youthful lunch spreads gusto

phone calls, balance sheets, sign

signatures, flying kisses, embraces

school bags, bye-bye, see you

gushing  streams roar in triumph.

Afternoon brings autumnal fruits

ripe and sweet, meaty success greets

cream crackers and steaming tea,

one spoonful milk, half spoon tears

son's failure, daughter's elopement

the dentist's chair revolves pain.

Evening lingers in hospital beds

tension fills the air with warm soup

which stains the lips with rancid taste

medicine bills raise the pressure

waiting eyes look sideways

for distant blood to flow in veins.

The eerie night slaps stupor

dinner gets stale, hardly eaten

the dog howls tread on nerves

eyes don't focus, the dear ones

wait for the  final whistle

to blow the trumpet, beating retreat.

Sabita Sahu