Gladioli

- Annie George 
Faculty of Mahatma Gandhi University  at Kottayam, Kerala.

Come September
Stalks of flaming orange,
Ochre and white,
Remember their master
In their garden of eden.

Bulbs of mirth
Door – delivered by post
From kalimpong,
Come in exquisite
Names and varieties.
The roses, the gerberas
And the Japanese lilies,
They fought for their father’s attention,
While his gaze never left
The pink or white tongued beauties.

They adorned the bouquets, once,
The vases and the bridal cars at weddings.
Now I hear them sigh
As they accompany us to his grave,
Every September.