The Midnight Lamp

Dr. Sudhansu Dash

She stands alone

 In the midst of a terrible aloneness

Neither bothers anyone nor bothered by any

The vermillion on her fore head looks faded

When she looks at herself in the mirror

Her man has given her the word of return

Leaving her waiting for hours

Every hour turns to days

Every day turns to years

Her unread chastity doubts itself

That might turn to the watery print of a no-man’s feet

Many sleepless nights she spends

The face blushes to shed all her intimate tears

In the presence of the bright staring sun

Her flowing voice melts down in the space

The smile of her lips finds no way to escape

The unasked tears distorts the mirror with empty promises

Time and again

From a timeless beginning

With the strength of a hopeless waiting.