something on the haze








when the smell of burnt ash assails my nostrils
the moment i push the wooden door of my flat ajar
it signals to me the advent of the enveloping haze
that wrecks havoc on the young and not so healthy

as it usually coincides with the seventh lunar month
i am apt to think that the burning of incense papers
may have added to the amount of matter in suspension
with visibilty reduced all-round by the air-borne particles

i feel for those who suffer from chronic respiratory ills
they just don't have the armour to fight this aerial spill
in schools, physical activities oudoors are curtailed
in parks and fields, active people choose to stay away

we seem impotent when it comes to combating the haze
doesn't seem to have an effective way to kill the blaze
we are at the mercy of the ever changing wind direction
and find some relief only when heavy rain comes a pouring

at the source the people continue slashing and burning
with no regard for all the harms that they are causing
the government hands appear to be tied and bound
as they are not able to apprehend all the fire starters