Nalini Shetty

Albatross

The river is thinner this year. Its banks, once lush and green, now crack beneath my feet as I walk its edge. Birds no longer call at dusk; only the hum of distant cars fills the air. I wonder how long it will take for this silence to spread, for the earth to hold its breath.

summer heat—
the sky reflects
what's left of the stream

---

About the Author

Nalini Shetty is a stay-at-home mom who writes Japanese short forms. She is published regularly in haikuKATHA, Haiku Dialogue, and other well-known journals. Nalini is an active member at Triveni Haikai India, where she workshops and writes with masters and fellow writers.

---