☛ We are inviting submission in the field of literature and literary theory in the form of article, book review, poem, short story, travelogue and interview for our regular April issue (Vol. 6, No. 2). The last date for submission is 31 March, 2025.

A Perfect Morning - Tapan Kumar Pradhan (India)

 


A PERFECT MORNING

 

-         Tapan Kumar Pradhan (India)

-          

It was a perfect morning

cool and sunny

I was on my way through woods

 

The birds were on a song

bees danced and shimmied

Butterflies fluttered around yellow flowers

 

And then there was the bend

ahead, a little clearing

Before I could take my final road

 

Not even three steps had I taken

when I saw Him, face to face

                   just in front –not

Even a whisper away

 

Resting against the trunk as only he does

one leg bent slightly

smiling as only he can - just

a knowing smile, a little

 

Stretching of lips, forehead shining

in the yellow soft light

Just as you’d imagine him to be

Basking in his own halo

 

I blinked twice - even pinched my skin

Here, like this. And yes, he w-a-s there

 

As if he knew I was coming

breath turning to silent mist

dark curls twirling

With each passing breeze

He w-a-s standing there

 

But the third time I blinked

he was n - o - t  there

 

I know you won’t believe

I have no pictures on reel

But I have captured him alive

with these very eyes

 

See how thrilled are they, my eyes

having feasted on him

for a full moment

Look into them, look deep with faith

 

And you will see him there

****