Every summer, the mercury rises a couple of notches higher. Life on the planet sizzles under its sweltering heat. The sun shines on with gusto, exhaling a blazing inferno. By evening, the crimson golden lava from its scorching gaze, intertwines with the blue horizon, blanketing it under a fiery glare. It bleeds red hot ire.
hot summer evening
splash of feral livid trail
a marmalade sky
Last April that awful day, when water left us high and dry
a lesson learnt the hard way, will stay with me forever.
Summer announced its arrival with the mercury soaring,
adding to the woes, the pandemic locked us indoors.
The old leaky connection pipe succumbed under pressure at night,
the next morning the taps at home went dry.
A call to the water board confirmed our worst fears,
the wait for a tanker would be an endless one.
With shutters of shops down, the repair too would be a prolonged affair
fractious moods ensued a torrent of rants and expletives,
a house full of people letting off their steam,
finally sapped of energy, the listless souls vented muffled sighs.
A kind neighbour lent us a can of water,
Rationing its use, the trailer made us realise,
we don’t want to watch the movie, “A day without water”, ever again.
Perspectives changed, importance of water redefined.
Water crisis, shortage, stressor, scarcity, you name it
will be the global vocabulary of future
mindful conservation is a mantra to be followed.
each drop is an elixir, a shout out to all “ Please Save Water”!!
Fiery heat casts a spell
on the dreary summer noon
green grass withers a tan,
the branches stand still,
water bodies parched to death,
birds scurry to quench their thirst,
the cicada’s trill, echoes anguish
nature lies defeated,
devoid of life
insipid, motionless
burning under the raging sun!
In response to Secretkeeper’s writing challenge # 142, to use the 5 prompt words below in a poem or fiction.
PLAY|CITY|RANT|GRASS|WATER
In the canvas of a molten mirror
the livid sun blazes like an inferno
reflecting on the city, with its intense ire
the green grass and blue water, all dry
under its harsh umbrage.
The mute trees stand still
thirsty birds circle under its canopy
the cicada’s rant echoes, as the mercury soars
sweaty humid brows drip into a rill
children indulge in indolent play indoors.
Scorched souls with sunburned faces
wait for the summer to wane
their imploring eyes fervently look up
for some wisps of grey clouds
to shower some pearly white gems!
Mercury rising, blazing sun,
scorching heat, sticky clothes
sweat streaming down the brow,
withering trees, parched lakes
silent winds, famished birds
people all indoors!
Pool, ice-creams, juices
all just a temporary respite.
The forlorn eyes scanning the sky
in vain to look for the dark clouds
Oh, rains where are you hiding?
Bless my land with your touch and
quench the thirsty souls with your nectar!
radhikasreflection 