Partner

I will never be an octopus partner
nor a possessive one!
They will have their southern breeze
to breathe and thrive!
And my guys: don't forget that I have my own life
where I am the queen and mendicant at the same time.
Who could give me anything
when I have everything as well as nothing.

Lucknow, India. 

Invitation

Come to the horizon,
Come and meet me;
Come and bring me rain!
Tonight, the sky is dark with occasional lightning;
The smell of the soft soil has risen again
from the sun-baked Earth.

The brief moment we were together
amidst all sound and motion
I noticed rain poured on your black shoes
--black as the Kentucky coal that was just brought above the ground
from surface mining.
I noticed and wondered
who did such dark polishing and did you pay enough?

Tonight, rain is there again.
Tonight, rain has no sound.
So, come to the horizon embracing the darkness and covering your face;
I do not need to see you in bright light because I have seen you enough;
Just show me your EYES!
Come to the horizon
And please do not forget to leave your shoes behind.

Lucknow, India

Resurrection

Manto, come one more time!

Resurrect from the grave

Come all the way from Lahore to Lucknow

Come and rest your hand on my tormented forehead. 

Manto, in this troubled time we need you one more time!

We--all marginal, all feminists, all depressed, and oppressed need you!

Lucknow, India 

                                                                                                                   

Miserable Hindus

Hindus are miserable
especially those
who subtly boast about eating veg
and meticulously maintain the idea of purity and pollution
by bringing food from home!

If Hindutva is only demarcated by
not eating any kind of meat and the "beef"
then she had lost such "Hindutva"
long long ago. :)

Lucknow, India 

Good Night

Last night, I had Manto in one hand
and you in another;
It could be the effects of both of you
Or it could be the cough syrup;
Whatever it may be
I slept peacefully after a long time.

Lucknow, India