Anhad ka Baaja

As I heft the gadaparai Onto my shoulder With a spring in my step To move a jackfruit sapling I realise that the springiness Is not because I have grown Taller and stronger: Rather, the gadaparai

Observing my fast Religiously On Saraswati Puja day A reading-writing fast Phone off, Computer off I notice things I otherwise do not Senses seem heightened Birdsong sounds clearer Almost electric in

On the eve of my birthday Well past the halfway mark Of my life I lie awake And think of things undone Promises unkept Isn’t it true that “Suddenly Heaven can steal from you The moment you need To

The ones inside Have done what they will Have spoken their minds: Incarceration is their reward I am outside, but I don’t do what I must Fearing the consequences I don’t speak as I should Afraid of

Raising our children We walk a tightrope in the dark Starting from The baby is hollering: He must be dying and The baby has been quiet for too long: He must be dead We progress to What will society

We say The Quiet of the countryside But actually The countryside is Quite a noisy place The day begins with  The Dawn Chorus of Birds and Bees Bees buzzing Birds trilling, cheeping, squawking,