Sunday Feature Poem by Ketaki Datta

A Quiet Diwali

Cops came blaring a microphone, “No crackers, no noisy fireworks please”, Little Pumpu went in dumps, Went to the balcony to mull over these terms ! His mind went roving around The dear aunts and grandpas Whom he lost to the ruthless Clutch of Covid -19, oh alas! The cops added, “We should Keep the air clean, We should make the surroundings Cleaner than it had been!” Pumpu looked around And found the air clean already, So no need to garb it with smog By bursting crackers, leaving it untidy! Pumpu came into the room Sadder and wiser, He sidled up to dad to say, “ I want ‘diya’, not a cracker!

Dad tried to read the lines On his little son’s face, He spoke so wise, What was really the case? Pumpu stood straight to say, “ I want all of us to pray To keep everyone hale and hearty, Happy and sprightly! If our air gets polluted, We will suffer instead!” The happy parents exchange a glance, Being happy to see their son, in a trance.

Glossary

Diya: Earthen Lamp

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