The Casket I Brought Poem by Ponniah Ganeshan

As I promised
There were a lot of things in abundance
To bring you in the lovely casket of my soul

Dead-tired arriving
At the sea beach tourist Inn
I was resurrected with the shower of bath;
At a distance, the sky was devouring the sea
The waves unmindful of me,
Entwining themselves in so many forms
Embroidered with silver foams,
On the carpet of beach
Where small crabs, played
Throwing their tiny eyes to and fro.

I drew a picture on the golden sand
A squirrel, out of a branch of a tree
Sprouted, all of a sudden
In the middle of the grove
With the message, which I have jotted down.

The silver-breasted white skinned
Nymphs, floating freely in the swimming pond
Happened to be packed, I’m afraid
In the lovely casket, which I made
For you to bring things in.

Also packed are my native
Inconvenience, experienced
At the dinning table
Making my hands as forks and spoons.

Collecting all such things of beauties
I set off home
Along the streets burning with flames of dust
On these dog-days
When getting up and down from the bus
At every sentry point of the camouflaged Forces,
Alas,
All the treasures were lost
Somewhere on the way
Like the beautiful white dove
Snatched away by a mid night cat.
When returned home,
Amidst the blaring and incessant noises
Of the rice mills
And of the devilish heavy vehicles
Carrying bags and bags of paddy husk
I am done away with the empty casket
Lying on the porch of my home.