Carnival

Aswathy Balachandran

 

They have warned her

about the spectacles of the carnival.

The luring sights, scents and colours

which she was always fond of.

 

They knew

she would be well received .

They were not wrong

and the pretty art curator

enjoyed the splendour

and was enjoyed too.

 

They warned her

again and again.

She flew in that white horse

blessing and loving the artists and viewers

with all ecstasy

without paying heed to

what they said.

 

She too knew the carnival would end.

But still she went on

until it was a dark and vacant.

 

The show ended.

Everything packed up

and she stood there

embracing the void.

She was that void

waiting to be filled again.