Macaque

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In the hills of Valparai,

You complained

‘There were no colours in these hills,’

We were late, after all

The Nilgiris were empty,

Bereft of their blue blooms –

No Neelakurinji, you frowned

 

But the car screeched –

Lion-tailed macaques abound

‘They look different’

Nowhere else but here

In these cardamom hills

Snap, snap, snap

Finally, you laugh

 

I smile as well

As I realise

The universe sometimes

Tests your heart in unexpected ways –

Monochromes instead of blues?

But even black is a colour,

Ah! The hills will remember your laughter…

 

23th April, 2026

 

Inspired by lion-tailed macaques seen in the forests of Valparai


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