Reflection of India

 

Poems 

made in the

 Reflection of India

 

Colorful chaos,

master-less masses,

assault on the senses -

All of these are

India.

So that you can feel

all that comes at you

you must demand 

stillness.

Here, silence is precious.

 Mulititudes of wandering souls.

None have my familiar thirst.

None satisfied, 

but happiness is found

in a meal, or

in comfortable cool nights

sheltered under a bridge

from the rain.

 Frightened eyes looking back at me.

A naked child with outstretched hands.

So many have seen it.

I am not alone

in wanting to blink it away.

But it will not go away.

Cold, clinical, logical-

how I want to see these people.

Watch my woman's heart 

melt

and sorrow come to the surface.

Watch the cold unravel

pulling everything apart.

 Does it become me when I wonder

at how is all goes on

when I am gone?

Do I become sorrow?

Is this how I walk away, 

taking everything to heart?

God is found in mercy and compassion

These are those deserving it in wealth.

Yet, this country has many Gods.

 Most works have been abandoned.

Half built structures, bamboo scaffolding falling away.

Some are complete. Most are falling apart.

Doors missing.  Empty, open windows.

Creepers creeping in - 

visible and invisible.

 Independent of structure, 

accidents are more severe. 

A man missing a right arm

stares through the glass 

and points at my purse.

My pennies won't help him.

But OH! Wonders!

Monuments of a past age!

Inlay with rubies, onyx and jade,

the marble shines pink in the sunset.

Glories of a fading empire

built by a cast

unworthy to die there.