Woodpecker above the Ganga

Its body was gold
Its body was dun
Its body reflected the setting sun.
The woodpecker dropped
Like a leaf from the tree
A tree full of cadmium
As autumn can be.
The blue river laughed
From the rocks far below
The tree laughed back
Hollow, hollow, hollow!



Rishikesh
September 2008
Malati Shah

Starting Out into an Invisible World

Here I am.
Starting out into an invisible world.
Alphabet in hand
and keys that open and shut.