Southern Beauty

By Kalyani Warrier

Surrounded by coconuts and endless beach sand

of the tropical waves, humid air and hot winds

with the bells of the family sanctuary

ringing in the air as a tinge 

of the orange sun rises from the horizon

filling the air with chirps, moos and kokkarakkos

as milkmen paddle away on their cycles with pails hanging

as fresh news is flung onto every porch.

With sleeping bodies below thatched roofs

rising rashly in the morning hue

as the crackle of burning wood 

and the aroma of spices

wafts through the wondrous walls

of rustic verandahs and courtyards

with the slow bustle of village charisma 

that leaves one tethered to such a flow.

By Kalyani Warrier