Crushing Jasmines

Scents turn me savage

and I crush jasmines.

Jasmines in a bride's hair

jasmines on a nuptial bed.

The white, hapless, beautiful

between my ruthless fingers.

I annihilate the pink beauty 

of the dainty Malti

before I fail in grace

before those lovely flowers.

I hold captive, Raatranis in a jar

for, how else
will I ever match them 

in the fine art of seduction?

I destroy the plucky Palash

those bearers of the reddest reds

so my lips seem the most luscious

in their painted glory.

I break Kumudini stalks

so my limbs are the most glorious

I drown dewy lotuses

so my breasts are the most desirable

The forest is drunk tonight 

with the scent of the Champa

But I want to burn it down

and scatter the ashes of beauty

Yes, keep those jasmines away

from my ruthless fingers.