Tick-tock, tick-tock;
Back and forth the pendulum rocks
Pounding each second into the ground
Now it’s here, now it’s gone.
Ominously, the cloud watches
as the gathering storm approaches
to merge with the dancing wisps of cottony-white
and turn the brightest day into darkest night.
Tick-tock, tick-tock;
The sound continues,cold and sedate,
matching the clang of the metal spade
as it comes in contact with the hardest rock.
Aisha pauses to wipe the sweat
that falls in droplets from her brow;
The littered battleground is a mute spectator
to the harshness of her sorrow.
One by one, she digs the graves
Three in number into their designated places;
Her tears have dried up much like the well of hope
As she rolls the bodies into the shallow spaces.
Once done, she dusts her hands and wipes the grime
from her face with the edge of her shawl;
She looks up at the sneering clouds with a passive stare
Saying, ‘I think it’s time to end it all.’
©Shailaja V
Intriguing!
You’ve painted an interesting scene, Shailaja. Since it’s the new year, I’m thinking Aisha’s burying bodies is a new beginning and not a tragic end.
Disturbing and powerful. I want to know more about the back story now! Well done, Shailaja.
Such a sad tale, but well done.
Thank you!
Tick-tock, tick-tock, I like the sound of this clock
Kind of a soothing momentum, perhaps? Thanks, Yeshu!
that was beautiful…
mysterious.. keeps us guessing..
Keeps you guessing in a good way, hopefully 😀
Yes its time to end it all. well said .
Interesting, kalpana. I actually left the interpretation of that line open and I see you took the positive connotation. Fascinating!
This is one of your best..!! keep writing fabulously..
Thank you! That means a lot!
Beautifully written with dollops of mystery, Happy New Year:)
Thank you, Vishal! 🙂
Mysterious! And, interesting! And, awesome, as always! Thumbs up to this one, Shailaja!
Thank you, Shilpa!