City Lights Poem by umashankar manthravadi

I do not mind this sound of distant bells merging
with a nightjar calling
flashes from a welder’s torch merging
with summer lightning

Night is as dark as it can get
with lights from streets and cars and houses

Ten million minds; is that all? Or is it too many?
do they talk to each other? or to me?
or like me, talk to no one at all?

The distant roar is of cars, pumpsets, airconditioners, fans
a stifled shout, laughter cut off abruptly
uncompleted stories; why did she stop laughing?

The pool is shut. lights are not moving
nor is the water. Only a little wind
and ululations of your mind