Whales Poem by Taposh Chakravorty

This world ended the first time
when your school friend left town,
leaving you bereft, shocked
that the universe was flawed.
Such things
happened many times later,
though you tried, held
the world close.
Too many times.
Yes, Rukmani, yes;
it is more than chance,
it is less than dance;
this world.
It comes with one
of its abrupt two faces;
trust or betrayal - always
you are included
or cast off.

It is an unformed, mindless thing,
Rukmani,
a ramshackle and crazed whirl
let loose, randomly
picking up or throwing off
bits and scraps
that are you and I - suddenly
getting included or cast off.
Yes, Rukmani, yes;
it is more than chance,
it is less than dance.

Whales dance together
in huge, deep oceans,
get stranded
in shallow lagoons.
Yes, Rukmani, yes.