Impending Clash

Written By: Sridevi Hariharan
Graphic By: Izzy Gavin

A disintegrating nation 
A woman who had sworn to protect it once, rebelled against its flourish
The war she saw over, her cape flowing like moving water
The cavalry leapt across the river bank
The moon vanished into the great abyss of cloud, and on the ground remained a lack of chatter 

The season had changed into a fifth fight 
A collision of wills had sparked the nature aglow with sparks and fire
And the queen who had respected the woman long ago 
Still failed to see those lights in front of her face, only reacting with ire

Friendship had been a tricky thing 
Sometimes, love and respect do not coincide 
Sometimes, the reasoning of the mind cannot 
reconcile with its loneliness, and kicks it aside

She had indeed changed; no longer youthful 
But still brilliant; her mind focused its way to a single point 
Determined and wise, although certainly uncertain 
She accepted that the bells refused to ring with sore joint

The lands far and near spoke of an impending clash
Sisterhood a thing of the past 
The woman rode on her horse, accepting the capricious wind’s way
Neigh! The animal bellowed back. Neigh! 
No more smiles; the time had surpassed the might of the mountains 
Along a new stream, far off from the interminable sight of Saturn and lines of lanterns
Awaited the rascal queen, with nothing but a cup of poisonous flowers and plantains
And near the meadow where these had originated, the cavalry cantered