India Blossoms in Late Afternoon

You’ve peeled back my layers

I am all but

Raw and tender fear

Exposed

And stinging in the sunlight

This battle will be fought

With no weapons

And no walls.

Only bare arms

Reaching for anything

And a heart

Beating into my throat.

The heat creeps deep into my being

An uncomfortable melting

Until I finally

Let

Go

Like the blossoms of late afternoon

I have opened.

Discoloured by the sun

The straps on my sandals

Sit a little bit looser now.

My clothes - faded stained and torn.

Yes it seems

Everything that travels to India

Changes

Just a little.