In Frames Poem by KATOCH P C K PREM

IN FRAMES

A posse of guards encircles and squeezes a corridor
as he laughs at the silly alacrity of the band in khaki,
a little noise and people retreat, for the man in eagle frame
of jewels, gold, and costly stones offers currency notes and gold
to sculptures walking once disciples, look at with gratitude illusory.
**
The crook throws glances at a damsel
with overhanging red fangs, in timid steps she appears.
He retraces steps with a dialectic humour
before the idol in trance with a wreath of skulls
and finds festooning images of goddess.
Pundit winks and closes lips perhaps praying
with open eyes as jeweled man with an owl stands near a leader
as cat pounces at milk and incense and jumps over
the empty priests' skull, looking at each as eyes close,
smile and whisper in syllables Martian while eyelids transmit
a luscious snap of a figure digging moon.
**
The thief clasps damsel's hand softly
but pricks as if an incisor moves forward
to tell God offering yellow sweets ‘I am a thief and all say so'
voices resound in the foyer and bells ring loudly,
he stands before the bejeweled leader,
inaugurating a dead building and the pundit looks at in anger,
as chanting crushes the voice.
**
Ingesting disgust throws sniping looks,
whispers as both stand aghast and puzzled
before the Goddess who moves not when he says he is a burglar.

The young lady holds him tight and hugs
others turn into pigmies, next moment he walks out
with the woman and the Goddess blesses
and disappears.

****