The valley of flowers

The lonely valley

Was bathed in a riot of colors

Just after the rains.

 

The flowers bloom,

After the rains, every year,

In this desolate land.

 

The dance of beauty

The colors and fragrance

Are for the bees and the moths.

 

I gasped –

‘Such a waste

Of beauty!’

 

A little yellow flower

Asked-

‘Was the world created,

Do the flowers bloom,

Do the peacocks dance,

Do the rainbows happen,

Do the stars twinkle,

Do the waves splash

For you?’

 

I returned

From the valley of flowers,

Lonely and silent.

 

***

 

((The valley of flowers is in the North Indian state of Uttaranchal in the Himalayas.))