All of a sudden one day

the curse lifts.

the light falling on the road 

reaches to touch you a little more.

The trees bending over from either side,

one frame of Delhi

the graffiti on the flyover wall.

The bob of a white and green chunni

wearing the woman in front of you

and the girl who turns, smiling, to her

calling across the crowd.

A baby’s small arm waves

from the adult it is sandwiched in.

All of it somehow appearing to glow

as if it’s golden hour,

even underground in artificial light.

there is a cool breeze taking you through the city,

a soft apology for the days to come.

you reach the destination of a friend’s house

as if on wings - knowing the moment

is the best sort in this life.

the coffee they serve you nothing short of

a miracle. how did they make it, you resolve 

to ask next time, sipping its warm secret for now.

this is how it is when the darkness lifts

withering away its shroud

that had become a second skin

and everything tingles extra,

for another one

is yet to grow.

for these few moments

feel how painful the preciousness,

how dear the ordinary

you had nearly thought

gone.