In anticipation of

Red beads to entangle

The calla lily plant

Clears the undergrowth 

Where her bud awaits.

The iridescent ruby-headed hummingbird

With his head in flames

Soars the breeze, 

Stirred by the faint chant

And followed by the mridangam, 

Fluttering, he awakens her.

She guides the bud,

In the dance of utsanga hasta

Her spathe unfurls, following her arms

In blue hues of morning glory,

And reveals the floral spike 

In turmeric gold.

With her permission, he hovers,

Mesmerized by the aroma

Of sweet rose jasmine 

He slipstreams the melody

Along the curves of the flower,

He gestures gently

Twirling the lobes of pink plumeria

Resting atop the floral spike,

The lily, her heel raised and toes bent 

In spellbound harsha bhava

Now swaying in sringara rasa.

Specks of gold dust 

Float to the white cotton sheet,

Carrying its earthy aroma

Through the open window

Floating against the blue sky

It summons the orange and yellow poppies

In the woods outside this hut.