Reality Strikes

Golden skin, deep dark eyes like limpid pools
Ebony strands bouncing with grace
The features symmetrical and shapely too.

Sweet music emanates, she twirls to the tunes
Laughter gurgles like a brook over stones
The elegance and charm makes many a swoon.

Where from art thou, what bringest you here
Thy shadow is poise entwined with grace.
Many were keen to know her sweet name.

The days went past and nights flew by
The smiles got brighter and laughter more loud
The more they learned the more inquisitive they grew.

The damsel had a lot to say, they remained immersed in her tête-à-tête
Her talks began with her eyes as they sparkled and glowed
Time flew by and not one noticed, not at all.

All was fine, life a reverie
The damsels company everyone wanted to keep
Nothing else mattered, she was such a treat.

This too shall pass the wise believed
The hold wouldn’t last, the façade she couldn’t keep
And true to their words, the storm strung a beat.

The rains came lashing, lightning crashed in the seas
Thunder shattered the trance they were in.
The reality would soon be revealed.

She ran for cover, hands covering her face
One hand over her head, seeking shelter from the rain
The thunder and lighting had her covering in dread.

This too shall pass she thought to herself
The squall may cease in time she prayed
But the Gods didn’t seem to heed her feeble requests.

Window panes crashed, trees swooned and swayed
People ran amuck anxious and scared
The end is near she heard them say.

The wise were right, the storm did pass
The sun peeped over the horizon shedding golden light
Calm began to return to the noisy countryside.

She gathered her guts to stand up tall
The music was playing ere very soft
The admirers again began to surround her.

Horror was writ large on their faces
She realised as she looked each way
Mouth agape they stared in dismay.

Haltingly she moved her fingers over her face
Alas! The storm had destroyed more than nature’s terrain.
The mask she wore had given way.

Gone was the smile, the sparkle in the eyes
The laughter was lost and ebony had turned white.
The dress was tattered and she looked a sight!

The crowd dwindled from many to none
Not a soul was willing to see the real one
The façade had fallen, gone was the fun.

- Rukma