dropping work
madhavi made field trips to
sick father in between normal
and critical.
sweeping floors on a sunday noon
her mobile spelt the end.
she was late for the last act.
brothers and sisters were luckier.
absences cost jobs.
dear father made death dearer.
undyed, unwilling father dear was
asleep when his dear left.


..........



an orphan, santhosh whiles hours and hours
of time on a dead stretch of concrete.
climbs the jamun and mango;
flies kites;
is adept at cycling;
humours the elders at cards with drinks and smokes;
shapes cricket bats from mango crates;
strong at lagori, marbles;
is everyone's bell-boy.
crawling up a coconut curving out of the housing society,
glimpses homes with TVs, internets.
some have spotted him on moonless nights
climbing skies.
helping a builder nail exit notices on shanty doors,
santhosh is a swagger, a street elder.



.........