The Beach Poem by Shafaat Shahbandari

The wind blows gently as the dawn breaks,
The waves thud the rocks out of habit.
A dog ambles across the desolate beach,
A little boy squats on the shore to poop.
A fisherman tends to his tangled fishnet,
As his wife picks sardines from the canoe.
A group of women step out of mud huts,
Tucking their saris in, ready for work.
They haven't had a breakfast, except for tea,
Yet their chatter suggests they are at ease.
Faraway, a couple of canoes approach the shore,
Fishermen riding the waves with only oars to aid.
A group of motorcyclists in white lungis turn up,
Fish curry for lunch is what they are looking for.
A few men run towards the sea to pull the boats up,
Sand moves under their feet when they see the catch.
A mackerel, a few sardines and just a pomfret,
Is all that they got after a night's ordeal.
The beach falls quiet except for the thunderous sea,
Another day in the huts will go without a meal.