scary lightning,
drooping clouds on parijat blooms;
spray footpaths at dawn.


...........  


relishing a rare breakfast,
the bullock lurched, dropped on the tarred road,
shoved down by owner and three hands.
they tied his legs for shoeing.
a lone tear crawled;
iron nails pierced the flesh, jesus-style.
in an hour, the bullock stood up;
yoked to a cart loaded with twisted rods;
a  whip, the animal heaved, collapsed,
leaving owner cursing shoeing costs.




............