HENNA ALWAYS LEAVES ITS MARK: RATI AGNIHOTRI Rati Agnihotri presently works with Sage Publications India. She has a MA in International Journalism from University Of Leeds, U.K. She got initiated into poetry during her stay in the U.K., where she joined a local writing group called the Leeds Writers Circle. Rati Agnihotri is currently based in New Delhi and is associated with a group called Delhi Poetree. Next Poem:....................................................................................................................................... Back to Poetry Index

 
The lingering smell of the faded henna

fills the haveli

dancing through the courtyard.

Piercing through

the nauseating stillness of the sullen chandeliers.

 

 

The prostitutes and the brides

shared the haveli likewise.

The blood of the former

mingling with the sweet smell of henna

that adorned the dainty palms of the brides.

 

 

The nawabs but always

sat still

crushing to oblivion

both the ghungroos of the prostitutes

and the henna of the brides.

Next Poem: ......................................................................................................................................Back to Poetry Index