Gulmohar Avenue

On two wheels do I swiftly ride
along the road so scarred and broken
my gaze on its craters ahead
my mind on so many thoughts unspoken

Anxiety for the day to come
 rage at injustices in weeks bygone
 a bump in the road jolts me back
or a swerve, for traffic I come upon

One day I chanced to take it slow
perhaps that day I had an early start,
no cars or trucks or buses go by
my progress slow, slow as cart

The craters I did easily traverse ,
bumps in the road no trouble too
as I took the bend, unhurried
came into view - the Gulmohar Avenue

A riot of red embracing the road
generous boughs yielding a sight so dear
pale cherry blossoms from a land afar
having turned crimson, had travelled here

And the road ahead was a rug of red,
loath was I to cross it and be done
as I passed under the canopy of flowers
did I feel blessings of The One?

Unseeing, often under it had I passed,
did I need to go quite so fast?
what were but a few minutes weighed
against the blessings forgone in the past?

I wonder how long has it been here,
offering comfort of a simple grade
did weary travellers, along the path hewn below
soak up the blessings, the sights, smells and shade?

Against progress’s assault unchallenged
I wonder how long it will remain,
if I come by in a year or ten,
will I search for it in vain?
These thoughts feed a hunger crazed
these wonders for evermore to hoard
alas, I take only that which is now,
only partaken, never stored

Now I ride slow and steady around the curve,
my mind is clear, no care nor rue,
for all that awaits just round the corner,
My Glorious Gulmohar Avenue.