Kusum Choppra

Through my bedroom window, I look down on a giant bedroom. It sleeps 23 odd scattered around, singles, doubles, triples and quartets. Dark nights offer no glimpse that I rush to catch at daylight. My eyes first seek out the horizon, shuttered by rising skyscrapers Monster steel and glass development symbols that slurp resources To spew out fake humans with fake emotions that change with every audience, Ultra right / left, ultra-modern / old fashioned, liberal / conservative, 50 / 50 Fulsome praise to your face, vicious criticisms behind your back. Ahead of the skyscrapers are swathes of variegated greens, the trees swaying majestically in the early morning breeze. Easy to pick out those with a new coat, in fresh new shades of glistening green standing out from the mature shades around. Then the eyes reach closer home, the terrace immediately below my eerie. There, just below my window, is an old thick-set man on his solitary string bed with two pillows. Occasionally

                                                                                                                    July 2019 Once upon a time She loved her hair Oiled n washed n brushed Burnished with mehendi Au de naturelle In times of hybrid. It flowed down her back Awaiting The Touch Of a Love’s fingers Stroking sensuously Through glossy bouncing tresses. Buns n upturned beehives Or a chignon at the nape Adorned with a rose C’urtsy genial g’dner To send off next post Recalcitrant Lover Abhorred flowers, Ignored nurtured glory. Left, right or Center parting sans sindoor Marital symbol No man wears. Awaiting The Touch, Tired of battles with dyes She slashed it short Glorying in freedom From a vain old dream.

Two old women The old woman who lived in a high heeled shoe Had several rooms for the slaves she drove. When they itched to run away She warned: Had Cindr’lla returned She wouldn’t be a Princess So they stayed and slogged. Her old and smiling friend didn’t live in a shoe She had strange antennae, longer than any butterfly Rooted in her heart. Wherever she went They sniffed air to tell her Peace or Acrimony, Love or Rancor Quarrel or kisses, whatever in between That would upset her very much Till a fairy told her You were not sent to take trouble to heart Ruminate, but not absorb, Say what should be said Issues resolve themselves You were sent to smile Hug and spread cheer only.