An Evening In July

I am not Neil, my arms are not strong at all So needless to say I could not be Neil Armstrong Tell beforehand once, long ago (in July,1969) I tried to imitate the man to set foot on the moon A girl faultlessly beautiful came to our neighbour's house On the occasion of chariot-festival of Lord Krishana, We a group of boys and girls went to visit the fair on the bank of a river... It was July after-noon, drizzling, enchanting dark blue shadow Friends were loitering aimlessly, some of us detached Buying a flute made of leaf palmyra tree I was playing in joy sitting under a blooming kadamba tree On the bank of the brimful river, none was there Suddenly saw that faultlessly beautiful girl coming out of the fair alone I tried to draw her attention making a signal with the hand She put on a flaming-fire-red frock, moist gentle July breeze blowing indolently enamoured being playful and inquisitive exasperating her and playing with her curled hair and long forelocks knitting the brows, she cast a bashful and timid glance as if a streak of lightning and coming by slow steps coming and coming and coming...as if endless way.... My assumption was wrong, Actually she didn't take notice Rather carefully observed a lamb as white as snow grazing On the wavy verdant meadow The girl started running after the lamb in a funk running at high speed And disappeared on the far-off mysterious bushy curvature... Seemed a full moon running after a divine rabbit... Next morning learnt that the girl left our neighbourhood.. Since then I haven't seen her, Even her name also not known; I name her moon Now when I stay alone, closing eyes, can see The sky is a river a far-extending blue river There on the bank a blooming Kadamba tree underneath deep blue shadowy July evening alighted spreading wings A far-extended meadow, The lush verdure of the July valley veritable There a faultlessly beautiful moon girl Running after a rabbit as white as snow Running and running and running But not disappearing.....