She

She stood under the neem tree Swayed by the west wind This summer night As mercury soared ambitious heights The lonely street light With cataract sight Shone her matted coppery hair Tattered attire She stood there Like a wisp of air Exuding sweat's sweet odour Feathery delicate An apparition whose feet Seemed to shun the earth Like angels in flight Yet, she was a woman With all her privations As earthly as everyone A daughter, wife or sister An embodiment that fired Reactions in those who beheld Oh, vagabond west wind Protect her from hurt She is a poet's pet Whether or not she wept Sweated, cried in fright Or perished unnoticed Woman lives on Under looming trees In alleys of despair Mother, sister, daughter No one cares to bother