Month: March 2023

Wizard Sidesteps

CLUED to the trap! One flick of his
STAVE, and he rises from the river’s reedy bank, a
CRANE. Aloft, he sees them swarming in to find the pit
EMPTY. A flap of wings carries him away. But how long can one escape an army?

Cowardice

STUFF my hands deeper in my pockets – it’s my
DEBUT running the gauntlet of a Kolkata street. The
FORCE of beggars and banshee boys, each demanding a
RUPEE, is too much; I speed through the stifling heat.        

A New Force

STUFFs to be sold, stuffs to be bought,
DEBUT new methods, new products, new energies.
FORCE arising in history, on China’s heels.
RUPEE: will it be the sum of a nation’s desires?

Ready to Listen

GRUNTing pigs, their piggy lives
ODDLY compelling to a hungry,
UNWED, self-exiled profligate. Can’t
AVOID the thought: if there’s a next time, I’ll listen to Dad.

Fear

ODDLY, I spent my social life ignoring women. I’d
AVOID all those who ventured near me. A bear in a cave, I’d
GRUNT and not converse, eyes cast down, fear in me. I’m
UNWED, surprise, surprise, but still I long for one to hear me.

Photo by Wiel van der Randen

Unsocial

SWORN to silence once the
RADIO is on. No conversation, nothing that will
USURP the concert’s dominance. I’m off to bed
SINCE no one wants to talk.