Catnap Poem by Arundhathi Subramaniam

This shoebox started out

a stiff-upper-lipped quadrilateral,

Upholder of Symmetry, Proportion, Principle,

sanctuary to an upright couple

of pedigree leather moccasins.



This week

shoebox learns

to sigh

de-

cant,

contemplate



gravity.



Old idealist softens,

grows whiskers,

paw,

drowsing chin,

slumped tail,

Arctic eye.



Form is emptiness

Emptiness is form, Shariputra.



Shoebox abdicates

shape

and Gucci worship,



secedes from

nostalgia.



Pukka sahib

learns

to purr.