TWO O'CLOCK
(India 1983)

A yellow butterfly
flew past
brushing bougainvillaeas
with dreams of rain.
Now the grass is solemn
does not dance.
A shadow grows longer
upon the limed washed wall.
Somwhere near by
children are singing.
To capture even half
this beauty in the palm
of the heart.

Kaushlya Bannerji