Smothering the light

Twinkling lights
in the sky,
the smell
of oil lamps,
the knowledge
That your path
Will be lit up
Guiding you
Along this winding path
With that stray
Bout of rain
Gently defusing the heat
The end of summer (hopefully)
And the onset of winter

This is what makes Diwali
Bright, beautiful, breathtaking

The thought of:
A thousand blasts
A lakh if you're loaded.
Of whimpering animals
Certain it's the apocalype.
Of the elderly
their pacemakers
being tested harshly.
Of the imminent garbage
Carpeting the streets.
Of poor little children destroying their hands
Making crackers
So money can be burnt.

This is what
Diwali has become.
Corrupt. Loud. Polluted.
Heartless.
A darkness
Seeping into humanity
Smothering
That guiding light.