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The Plant at the Crossing

By Chitra Padmanabhan; Illustration by Shinod AP

At a crowded crossing
I saw a brave new
recruit
to stem the environmental
rot

A tiny young
plant
transplanted in a
metal cage
took the exhaust of buses, trucks, cars
and scooters
full blast

The rate of wilting will
indicate pollution
levels
said a municipal official
with a satisfied smile

Testing death on a
plant
is so much better
In fact a “no-cost” option
to save this
Earth