GNAWED THROUGH

A fat island burns 
under a looming sun. 
Bleeding rays will enter your eyes 
to see the blundering world. 

The gods were melting down 
looking at the corpses of 
faltering orchids, spread out 
at the feet of a white blaze. 

The oriole sheds the gold 
and embraces a brown – 
black cloud against 
a dazzling green. 

A dishevelled country rumbles 
to get a street sense from 
a meditating Buddha.

Satish Verma