solution

a great many 
problems are solved
by keeping your mouth shut. 

stray

little white dog

by the atm 

you've got
such shiny brown eyes

you look up at me

as i wait for my turn

your tail
slowly wags

you stand up
stretch, and come
closer

sniffing at my kurta

it's impossible
to look away now

i give in

and bend down

before i can even

pat your head
you roll on your back 

in anticipation

and i scratch
your tummy
as you giggle

and wring your limbs

i stop
for a moment
and you paw at me
frantically

and i become
servile again

both my knees
on the street now

you follow me
as i walk towards

my office

nose close to my heel

i enjoy
the attention
yours, and that of passersby

equally 

we crossthe chinese restaurant
and you run off

in the direction 

of exciting smells

frenzied wagging
and sniffing follows

with your back towards me

i pause

and wait
for you 

patiently 

 

but you

are intent

in poking your nose
in the gutter

i suddenly feel

very betrayed.

snap

here comes 

breaking point

it comes closer

and closer

 

testing

your patience

testing 

your strength

 

you are 

prepared 

and determined

not to give in

 

you dig your feet

into the sand

firmly 

 

but when 

the wave hits you

your legs 

give way

 

they're no longer
under your control. 

when the waters recede
you find yourself

drenched, 
exhausted 
with salt and sand 
in your mouth 

you breathe

in relief 

it's over 

 

you don't see

the next wave 

coming

because who knew

that when you thought

you've recovered

 

you would break 

again

and again.

courage

one day
you have to stop
being afraid
and be you

i think it's today
it's a new release
first day, first show. 

farmer

orange saree
softly shines 
in the mild winter sun 
against blinding green
 
you drape your pallu
around your head

i watch
from behind the window 
of an air-conditioned 
train compartment 

the screen that
separates us

you, picking paddy
in mud-covered feet
me, sitting on my berth
with notepad and pen

using you
as my muse 

both of us
born of the same soil
in the same country 
but suddenly, I wonder

if being there
makes you
more Indian
than I am. 

back to the angst

working like a dog
to get what you want
can be a bitch.

grandmother

beautiful gold bangles
circle your thin wrists
and jingle when you
turn in your sleep
i can hear you

large diamond studs
adorn your
soft large earlobes
your white hair
silky till the very end

twice a day
you carefully smeared
vibhuti on
your forehead, asking me
if it looked okay

you saw me off
every morning
wishing me a good day
at college
when i went to office

i will miss your
sweet grandmother fragrance
of mysore sandal
and your delighted smile
when you were offered a sweet

you pampered me
i pampered you
i will miss that
avva, like most grandparents,
you were truly grand.

humiliation

undeserved injustice
can sting

but bow out gracefully
even as
your cheeks
are on fire

because
you can't ever give in