" Midnight underneath a yellow tree, Fresh breeze of the monsoon spree, Look as far as the eyes can see, At Orion silently dreaming..." It was past midnight- I stepped out of my house and looked around, the rain had stopped and all I could hear was the shrilling sound of the cicadas and toads singing monotonously all over the swamp. I saw the faint moon in the night sky-as though it were fast asleep upon a pillow of clouds while the stars sang lullabies. The cold breeze was a welcoming relief after a day of scorching heat. I sat down on the porch and drew a long breath... A single candle in my room burned slowly on the table- its flame swayed in the light breeze that came in through the window cracks. On the table were scattered papers and maps of the town. I have been writing for hou

