Madhu’s reflective poem explores the transition from day to night, comparing it to the fleeting nature of life, exclusively for Different Truths.

Birds fly silently
crows gather on water tanks
dusk settles in
as the grey rolling cloud
snatch the last spark before it dies...
Skyscrapers silhouette against the western sky
brushed with a sombre pallet
of blues, oranges, greys,
Iron rods from construction sites
seem to hold hands in prayer!
As the day prepares to depart...
it's time to say goodbye
with faith, we tomorrow meet
I try to console myself
with the resolve
to greet tomorrow
with greater strength...
For the dead, do not rise
with the Morning star 
They become part of the universe
from whence they came
Remain as memories to be cherished
pain and loss to bear 
and as blanks never to be filled!

Picture design by Anumita Roy

Madhu Sriwastav

Madhu Sriwastav is a Kolkata-based academic, poet, short story writer, reviewer and translator. Her poems have been published and anthologised in National and International journals and magazines, both online and in print. Her debut book of poems, Trips Climbs Circles, has received rave reviews. She received the Jury Award 2022 in the Panorama International Literature Festival. Her latest book is a translation of Chitra Mudgal’s award-winning novel, Post Box No.203, Nala Sopara, by Sahitya Akademi.