Rows and rows of clay lamps lit up with little flames
Brightly lit homes decorated in many hues
It is festival of lights, family and friends
Gather and share to celebrate the festive cheer
The thirteenth lunar day, dark fortnight on this day
The moon sighs to see a part all so lit up
Little mud lamps coloured, filled with pure oil
Bright tongues of flames dancing on a wick thread
Lighting up small huts, homes and high rise all over
Each day some have something new to wear
Different deities to worship and pray
So much to give, share and all be merry
The richness of taste of sweets homemade
,
Streets filled with crowd in celebration cries
Diwali! Diwali! O ! Diwali is here!
Singing out loud for all to hear
Boxes of sweetmeat spread across lanes
Happy children with smiles hurry for crackers to break before it is late
Enjoy the much needed respite from schools and textbook ruckus
The cracker rockets they happily send up in sky
The little missiles with precision and pride they try
Women all dressed in glittering finery
Well groomed now flaunt their good looks and tastes
The centre of attention, the newly wedded brides
Bringing out her style and shine, the endeavour is all but on
The culinary skills, the central focal point
She with perfection of a trained chef nonetheless
In a first diwali as a gentle hostess in her new home
The faithful of all castes, rich and the poor
Celebrate the festival with fun and frolic each time
It is the joy and happiness happening
When the triumph of good over evil is welcomed
Lord Rama known for his goodness be praised
The dark night now noisy and alive
With fire crackers breaking loud and long
By the dozens at a time through late night
Birds and hens with timid hearts
Quite in awe of this human way of life
Hide their heads and wonder
If they will survive the night
To see the morning light
Shining golden lanterns many
Of various shapes at every window glitter
A kaleidoscope of colours
Brightly springing in the dark
Laxmi , the Goddess of wealth
Worshipped and revered
At sparkling little altars in homes
Invoke the Goddess of wealth
she blesses her devotees
For abundance all around they pray
It is indeed a wonder to see
The sheer numbers and the zeal
Of people pursuing faith and find favour
To welcome deities amidst them
And feel blessed in their lives.
By J K Roseline
Regis
enjoyed your composed piece
Love & Peace be with you
William
verse makes one want to
participate...
Lady Vivian
Clearly the wealth never gets shared but that's no reason to give up hope. A wonderful poem in celebration of a celebration!
Ron