September in a Small Neighborhood

Written by Ananya Athaiya

Edited by Jaanvi Thorat

Illustrated by Deepshikha Bannerjee

Windchimes tinkling in the silent courtyard

A veranda swept with crackling yellow leaves

Sweltering sunshine and chilling shadows

Apples crisping up day by day,

Harsingar blossoms dotting the horizon

And hint of winter in the air

Birthday parties in the evenings and poojas in the mornings

Skirts and kurtis, sarees for cocktail parties

Glittering markets and the silent streets

School uniform scattered around the house

Iced tea by the gallons while hot chocolate brews

The year is about to end, December is still far away

Long walks and coffee breaks,

Rooftop gatherings with soft lulls of the city giving company

A pause, a comma, a chasm of nothingness

The tickle of rustling leaves,

The groans and loans of a test gone wrong

Ice cream trips at night while the entire colony is getting ready to sleep

Solitude and heartbreak, but joy and belonging too

How strange is September yet how familiar

Not the unending liveliness of summer

Nor the bright hope of spring

Nor the dark warmth of winter

But a comfort, a moment of peace

Saying that maybe it's time to just relax

And drift away

For now that's enough.