Let us go --- Let us fly ---

                                                                     (  I  )
                                             

                  Far from this slashing din, far from these roaring crush

                  And fretful rush, streaming fast with unending gush

                  Incessantly flowing, incessantly leaping;

                  Far from these smooth seeming roads with hidden pits and potholes

                  Far from these smothering towers and sky-touching spires

                  Far from these white mansions knitted close like cells

                  Far from these bustling vehicles and nudging crowds

                  Far from crowded bars, restaurants and harsh cries loud;

                  Far from shops, theatres and congested market squares

                  Far from these parks and gardens where people rush fast

                 To spoil the space with littered plastic cups and cans

                  While children play unaware of impending perils

                  As elders sit on stone-benches in dreamy mood

                  Discussing faded events with nostalgic looks;

                  While pedlars lure kids with their ice-cream cones and candy bites;

                  While jobless vagrants loiter and smoke with reckless looks.

  

                                                            (  I I  )

                                              Let us go -- Let us fly--

                   To some cool tranquil place where bushes and bowers abound

                    Near some murmuring brook flecked with red lotus-buds

                    Where silver-tinted fish twirl and swim through ripples

                    Where white-winged birds nestle and twitter serenades;

                    On some black stone to sit and muse glancing at the blue hills

                    Viewing the green swell of lush waving grassy plains

                    Pacing slowly as fluttering butter flies welcome with colorful wings

                    As breezes cool pass wafting our cheeks with refreshing smell

                    While the setting sun on yonder hill burns with vermilion hues

                    Shedding a rosy glow tinged with yellow, purple and saffron shades. 

                                                     (  I I I  )

                                           Let us go --- Let us fly---

                    Let us return to the city as noisy rush slows down

                    When the city shines like a diamond-studded crown

                    With vibrant colors of bright electric lights

                    As roads and pathways shine with rows of fluorescent lights

                    Amidst the din of rushing vehicles with bright focusing bulbs;

                    Amidst the home-bound people dressed in various styles and ways

                    Chattering, chuckling and laughing with friends and co-workers;

                    When night summons us with moon-lit glimmer and starry sky

                    Refreshing us with smell of night queen and musk- rose

                    Like two swans flying through crystal sky--- let us go—let us fly.  

                                              *************************************

        5th march, 2018                                                            Somaseshu Gutala