On A Lonely Walk One Night Poem by Ananta Madhavan

Touristic images pursue me in a town,
May be, Beverly Hills, California,
Where highways and cars have shaped
The moods and lives of varied folks.
Though farther than a hemisphere way,
Some images and alleys look familiar.

On a lonely walk at night, multiple shadows
Moved with me along the well-lit street.
A strong shadow, stalking me, suddenly
Lunged forward and overtook me.
Pale shadows were slinking back; but one,
Pitch black in outline, boldly slid past me,
Without a word of greeting, but signaling
Full recognition: Oh, my flitting alter ego.

Daylight deals in shades rather than shadows,
Multiple images from distant histories.
The sea has tones of colour, from blue-black
To green of graded pallor, translucent in
The frothing foam of billows. This day
The sea is placid in the bay. The chill wind
Whips the cold into the land and mountain,
But it seems to assure us in a gentle way,
"There is no freezing now, you will not shiver;
Just a cool day in your tropical time zone."



- - - - - 26 March,2016