Game on the train

In front of me 3 kids play cards,
Rather they pretend,
with each draw they restart,
with angst they count,
in a bout of words,
the game comes to an end.

'Tu pishi' pushes the boy, 'pishi' girl giggles,
she will be missed, she knows,
She purrs and snuggles close.

the other 'Didi' mediates,
she has an upper hand.
She counts again and cheats,
when will the other two understand?

'Superstar' proclaims 'pishi' heroin,
others roll in laughter,
their cards carry bikes on the rear
and kids ride hard.

'BMW', 'Suzuki', 'Kawasaki', game wores on,
looking for 'BMW' after 'BMW', or 'suzuki' on 'suzuki',
'OH', heroin has won the hand.
Others find their hands empty nearly.

'Keep your feet to yourself!'
and some more screams,
the eyes, the gestures,
a 'Suzuki' call followed by dirty-word streams.

'AICH!' the heroin has cleared
the deck again
'Wow', 'How?' She refuses to share.
Others tickle her insane.

One phone call cuts short the game,
the shout march, and the blame.
It's suddenly Hush Hush
on the East-bound train.


(On my way to Calcutta from Delhi)

Sleep

Sleep approaches like a cat,

ready to jump away. 

Who will bell it, prey? 

 

When you remain distant, 

waves reach me from far, 

wind is blunt, n window ajar, 

for a dream. I send you love, 

 

sms, and I receive it,  like facing a mirror, by Jove. 

Alice had it better, 

she could get inside the mirror. 

That'd turn Left to Right, 

sweet to bitter, 

sugar to chocolait, 

 

With a story in my head, 

I wait instead, 

tired, I swear, as 

young Sun-rays run across the bed.

Cris-cross Jindagi

Now, pick me up you said,

I chose to walk down instead, 

and you went about your way. 

Marriages are heaven-made. 

 

When did we meet first, 

do you recall? 

Our birth-days match, 

so do lives over all. 

 

My Aai-baba 

are your in-laws, 

as I hear your Ma 

has the same claws. 

 

I mix with your family, 

you do as much, 

My share of sweets you munch, 

and burp contentedly. 

 

Your old baba drives 

his scooter around, 

much to our dismay, 

your Mummy wears bandages round, 

what do I say? 

 

You return after nursing your Baba,

your Aai's eyes have circles dark purple, 

we exchange our views, 

time, world, and all the life's hues. 

 

Cris-cross jindagi, 

we meet to share the vibe, 

I hold your hand, 

you tug on my life.