By Patrali Chakrabarty
Blooms of spring paint way for the color fest,
A blessed little town fills with chaste temple whiffs.
The sunbirds chirp on sweet mulberries,
The witty sparrow guards her nesting tree.
But lo! Krishna, the thief of hearts,
Appears – slurping on a gooseberry so tart,
His eyes twinkling with mischievous glee,
For Radha’s cheeks he longs to see.
Krishna, flushed in love, cheeks like crimson dew,
Soft palms, mashed blooms, blushed fiery hue.
With laughter inside, his heart feels the race,
O’ to paint his beloved’s gentle face.
A playful scene appears, joy blooms,
As Basant sprays the town with its fine perfume.
Now Radha, calm and wise, and her friends astute,
Decode Kanha’s plan utterly mute.
They giggle and tie their anklets tight,
Sneaking behind in the soft twilight.
Together they nab Shyam with flair,
Poor Krishna, shocked, is caught unaware.
Down he falls almost stupefied,
"Radha! Radha!"—he threatens a chide.
Radha’s giggles refuse to cease.
Gopi’s circle Kanha – dance and tease.
Coloring their beloved’s cheeks without a care,
"Stop, Radha! Na, na!" he cries in despair.
The dance of love and playful spree,
Melt hearts, heal, and unite in ecstasy.
Sudama, dear friend, comes rushing to rescue,
Pleads to Radha, her heart soft as dew.
Merciful Radha, with a smile so kind,
Releases Kanha from her Gopis' tide.
Poor Krishna, flushed cheeks, crushed pride,
Warns Raai, Holi has not quite arrived.
As Krishna plans to recover his fallen Holi fight,
Precious Radha still chuckling in sweet delight,
Basks at the mischief they’ve pulled off tonight.
And Bhaktas, with hearts in faithful flurry,
Rejoice in the divine Raas Leela of Glory.
Smearing each other with sheer love each Holi!