Birthday

close up photo of a birthday candle and the box it came in

Bright-eyed and sparkling,
candle, wastes its life away;
defines another.

Prime

photo of the village landscape with green and brown patches

Amidst green patches,
stripped of life; bald surfaces,
prime real estate.

Forests

photo of a forest as seen from a passing bus

A protective force
on the outskirts of our towns—
forests no one knows.

Moon

Photo of a half-moon, as seen from the window of a second floor building, with other buildings and facades visible.

Tidal commander
smiles at me from miles away;
half-moon spectacle.

Dry

Photo of the Cauveri river in Trichy with spots of water. As seen through the window of a bus.

Lifeblood running out—
the river as dry as bone;
hypoxic city.