A Very Straight Line Poem by Deepak Manchanda of Delhi

A Very Straight Line
Accosted me one day
At, where else, but
An intersection

You are a Deviant
He said
Your points are directionless
Your angles are obtuse

I protested.
We have the same points
But differences of perspective
I said.

I know the circles you move in
Went on
The Very Straight Line
You are self-centred
Closed
And do not fit

The squares, he said
Are a lot more accommodating
And even the rectangulars -
Although a little too perimetric

Just then
Appeared a Polygon
And an Octagon
(Hexagon was at the Hives)
To discuss the views
Of the Very Straight Line

Don't pay heed
They said
About the Very Straight Line
To that ancient old Hypotenuse
Supported by a couple of Squares.

His beliefs, they said
Are really those
Of a bigoted
Ignoramus.



©Deepak Manchanda, New Delhi