Coffee House -2 Poem by Prathibha Nandakumar

2-

Was getting ready for another public function,
had to address a bunch of college girls, when
she called want two hundred rupees, can’t return

Asking for would not get the right answer hence
I said come quick, got to go. It’s no use advising her.

What to speak about globalization to a cola-drinking crowd
Reporting about the drug abuse in the public park in the lonely
afternoons invite calls from police give us a complaint madam
we will take action. Editor wants only lifestyle write ups and

Asked an auto driver why is he taking the girls
into the park and not home straight from the school
he said mind your busyness, even used a four lettered word
with the girls giggling hey look, an activist.

Exactly four days later there was a rape, murder
in the park and media made the most of it, followed by
debates, accusations, suspensions and transfers.

When she came crying, asking not to tell her parents,
Sent her to a doctor friend and now
she is asking for two hundred more
I asked her where was she and she said
near the mini park.


Translated from Kannada by the poet