“There was mist”

There was mist along the pond’s edge,

There was a cordon of bluish green leaves,

The mango’s branch stretched over the water.

Darkness had pitched its tent,

The place was deserted,

A procession of fireflies went by,

The breeze smelt of the forest,

The coconut trees swayed in sequence,

The date-palms stood guard over everything,

The hidden hawk cuckoo sounded its call,

Jackals moved about freely.

Sunrise—and a star glimmered.

Ripples appeared in the pond.

A star shone in the deep.

1943