Laila Nawsheen: ‘rainbow’

rainbow

what anguish must the rainbow feel
when only one of five senses will vouch she is real?
called a fraud by those who chased her
for claiming substance without sound nor texture
in the vapour she’ll curve then bloom
pinstriped flower, no petals, no perfume
in the distance so far; what waste
what good is candy without sugar to taste?
brought to court, she was tried and convicted
purged from the sky. From above, she wilted
the jury comprised of one nose, two ears
five fingers, one tongue, a pair of eyes in tears.

Laila Nawsheen