That night when my mother
took me to her breasts
I knew woman had a scent
quite different from man's...
...
How are you, sir?
I was just passing by,
thought I might as well drop in
...
Sombre though we were we knew -
For the hearts beneath our skins did throb,
As the surf surged up the sun swept shore
And we lay in repose in gold sands galore -
...
Soul to the Body: -
'So how are you, buddy? '
'Not dead yet...'
...
Hails to thee, Lord!
In your praise we offered a thousand oblations
broke a hundred coconuts, and offered prayers
...
An assault of cabbage leaves on the pavement
Tries vainly to cover up the manholes;
Splattered egg yolk on the serrated kerb:
Two men look from the window. Wind blows.
...
However your memories lacerate my heart,
However your ideology sells in the mart -
Voices of pedagogues shriek from afar
Here in the murkiness of Parija Library
...
Like a princess she comes
at the appointed hour
floating like a shadow
through the stillness of night
...
Your enemies can do it, your friends
can do it to you. Your driver,doctor
neighbour, neighbourhood shopkeeper
your uncle, your priest, your teacher
...
Death does not come when you call him
However much you call, he never comes:
He comes only at his appointed hour -
Playing hide and seek, biding his time
...