She Poem by Madathil Rajendran Nair

She stood under the neem tree
Swayed by the west wind
This summer night
As mercury soared ambitious heights

The lonely street light
With cataract sight
Shone her matted coppery hair
Tattered attire

She stood there
Like a wisp of air
Exuding sweat's sweet odour
Feathery delicate
An apparition whose feet
Seemed to shun the earth
Like angels in flight

Yet, she was a woman
With all her privations
As earthly as everyone
A daughter, wife or sister
An embodiment that fired
Reactions in those who beheld

Oh, vagabond west wind
Protect her from hurt
She is a poet's pet
Whether or not she wept
Sweated, cried in fright
Or perished unnoticed

Woman lives on
Under looming trees
In alleys of despair
Mother, sister, daughter
No one cares to bother