What May Be That? Poem by DILIPBHASKER MATHRA

In the depth of the darkest corner
In the icy-cold mid night
Some one perches!
The sound so hideous
A subsequent crushing exhalation
Followed by burning eyes.
What may be! he wondered.
A shadow of incommunicable fear
Penetrated in his mind’s canvas
As shapeless shades of doubts
What may be that?
Eyes now like two rubbies
Flashing over his unconsoled suspicion
He saw the wings and curved beak
Carving dilapidated wooden pillars
And creeping slowly for something
Creeping slowly towards him.
Outside-the wind roared among the pine wood
Howling of wolves echoed frequently
As furious warning
He felt beneath his feet the cold wings
Horrified mind contracted, then expanded
Retaining the pulse and lost strength
He bent down to touch
What may be that....?
A sudden shake of vans!
Heavy blow of tempest!
Bounced cry of alarm above the din
And he could scarcely see
Shooting away a dark shaped
Red eyed vulture.