Summer Inferno in Nagpur  (a Poem)

My city is known for three things mainly

Its sizzling summer, syrupy oranges and sufficient foliage

Life here is peacefully slow and slumberous

It’s fine, slow and moving, life goes on,

In poetry of the west

Summer seems cozy and comfortable

Summer is the time of infinite fun

It’s time for romance, revelry and excitement.

Oh! But for us, It is not so,

Eastern countries face the Sun face to face

Closer to the sun,

The dazzling, scorching,

And blistering fire ball, 

That you are.

In my city you look

Merciless, heartless, and unforgiving,

You appear ruthless, pitiless, and hardnosed

Making the clime unbearable and agonizing

Shading of autumnal leaves,

Scraggly looking trees,

Want of any greenery all around.

Dry brown leaves scattered on the ground

Dirty looking ground, all creepers gone and turned into spikes.

Birds are not to be seen, 

Their twittering, chirping and cooing become extinct

The koel bird sings in her piercing but ringing voice

And that is the only solace from this tough weather.

Winds become stronger, air becomes hotter,

The tar road in my city seething under duress of heat

Start melting, vaporizing, thawing like molten path

Roadside shady trees are only escape from this summer inferno.

At home and office fans blow hot vapours

The sound of coolers are heard in every house

Air conditioners are in things for well-to-do people

Which make them forget the heat

But that is only indoor comfort

Houses get warmer

All masked, scarf covered faces on the roads

But some people make hay while the sun shines

Sugarcane juice kiosks, jaljira and lemon cold drink centres thrive,

Thirsty throats, looking for chilled water,

Some earthen pots are kept for thirsty people.

Ice cream parlours doing roaring business

Kulfi thelas are thronged with heat-hunted people

 To seek some respite and relief from this conflagration,

The scorch touches some times 48 degrees,

Turning the normal life into troubled trepidation

Of turbid turmoil and feel of a dreary desert.