Anhad ka Baaja

Today On the anniversary of Mama’s passing I remember my last meeting  With him: Physically frail, but Sharp as ever He asked me What I had had for lunch: (We shared a love of food) I told him, and

Months after Baba’s passing My sister and I We went home to visit Amidst the excitement Of meeting Uncles, aunts, cousins We made time My sister and I To clean Baba’s house We felt his quiet presence

A country of more than A billion people Yet Only two points of view Are allowed: With us or Against us No nuance, no subtlety, no shades of grey Just this strange insistence on With us or Against us

Big Brother’s work is nearly done He’s taught scores of Little Brothers To have their fun (And Little Sisters, too:  He’s gender aware) Beating up the weak and Harrying the meek And those who seek To

Butterflies have a reputation for beauty. But last evening, we saw an Owl Moth fluttering its last in our bathroom We found it dead this morning. Surely, beauty lies in the “eyes” of the

Kings have built temples Pharaohs pyramids Politicians have their statues Ozymandias, too And the Ambanis have their Antilia All this to proclaim To the future: I was here For most of us however Our