I Kissed A Fish Poem by Chhote Lal Khatri

I KISSED A FISH
Yester-night I met with a bizarre accident
gurgling Ganga was flowing over me
water as transparent as that of Rhine.
I kept sleeping silently
with full consciousness of sands,
crabs, crocodiles, fish and dolphins
grating my skin, tickling my nerves.
I kissed a fish and she became a mermaid
and took me along on a slow rhythmic swim
in rejuvenating cold water warming my blood
holy chanting, bells and floating Diyas
as if stars have come down to the filmy surface,
sweet fragrance of flowers, sandal and camphor—
a full view of a wedding ceremony.

Mermaid was my bride.
We went along a few miles
in an endless procession.
I wasn't tired of swimming
but I asked, where would our first night be?

The bridal bed is laid
in the Bay of Bengal, she said.
I vaulted clear of my bed
fully wet with sweat.
Looked around, up and down
saw the moon coughing and sneezing.
***