Sun salutation

I stared at the sun yesterday -
Fixated in the direction of a burning circle,
light curling out like tempura flakes.
My pupils dilated,
to allow more than one million waves of ultra-violets 
squeeze into my lenses.

Tears oozed out.

Maps of stars and moth-eaten clouds 
dissolved against my eyelids.

My corneas sizzled 
from third degree burns.

I thought of you, Bella,
and Grandfather's roof;
And the mornings we would gather by the old milkman
eat mint leaves from the garden,
and say prayers to the Sun.
You would say,
Grant him, O Sun God,
The strength of tolerance,
the light of life, and happiness.

Twenty years have passed.
Yet,
I continue to wait
for answers to those prayers.