I Walked A Tamil Street Poem by Madathil Rajendran Nair

I walked a Tamil street
Inebriate
On an October evening
When a cloud hesitated overhead
Unable to rain
Lost in thoughts
Perhaps, God knows what

The North East monsoon is playing hide and seek
The weather bureau said
What could they say
About a thing unknown?
When forecasts go wrong
There are excuses numberless
That shelter and comfort
The evenings swelter

A lonely star, perhaps Sirius
Or Betelgeuse
From behind the clouds
Looked down on the street
Where two buxom beauties
Rushed on a scooter
Loaded with jasmine on their heads
To unknown beds
Infested with bugs
To share carnal pleasures
With their sweating boyfriends

A barking stray dog
His eyes wary
Sought friendship
Of everyone on the street
Wagging his tail

Men and women
Walked up and down
As in a dream
Oh, how humans could be
So somnambulist
In so much physical discomfort!

That is life
When ignorance drives
Why should men be any wise?
An unwanted demand
Of those who think themselves high

May I therefore seek
My bed of bugs
Somewhere here
Comforted by a solitary breeze
This October night
Watched by lonely stars
With friendly barks
Jasmine, sweat, beauties
Life needless to say
Is always beautiful
Who cares here to breathe the last
Unless that is thrust upon?