Holi

by Madhumita Ghosh

Colours flew,
as the rainbow descended,
hugging the greens,
vibgyor rode on winds,
the sun refracted
glittered in eyes,glowing, merry-making,
throwing care into the winds...
reason locked away
indoors,
bhaang-laced milk
flowed down prisoner throats,
free for a day,
earthly Maenads shaking locks
in glee...
a little hand is held out,
from out a threadbare dress,
coloured,
with stains of being lost to the world,
barely covering sprouting breasts,
shrunk legs tottering
in quest of a morsel...
Joyous hands redden her face,
green pink and red-faced,
she retreats
a joker, hungry.