Cracked feet that have never known slippers
Planted firmly against the red soil
That bleeds into her feet a permanent stain
She squats by the sluggish cerise tinged river
Under a heavily laden tree with debauched fruit
Overhead a spicy zephyr stirs
Leaves with red veins

A fist full of rust
Knotted into her sari but
Not before, she takes a pinch
Raw and salty it stays on her tongue
She embraces its abrasive journey down her throat
As did the red earth when it enveloped
Her stillborn child in its womb

***

Illustration: Vishnu Prasad © All Rights Reserved