Poem: Just Another Night

Just Another Night!

The monsoons had blessed them,

The holes in the plastic could tell you that,

Had the gods tried to flaunt their might,

Or was it natural, just another night.

Building across the street quenched its thirst,

The kids had a new friend to meet,

Its prisoners greeted the fascinating sight,

Or was it routine, just another night.

The urchin on the footpath was dying of hunger,

His mother gave him a solitary bread,

He dropped it mistakenly, and a dog won the fight,

Was it painful or just another night.

The party across the street was in full cry,

The drains hogged the chicken fried,

Owner’s dog was called and offered few bites,

Was it a habit, just another night.

He tried to cross the street hurriedly,

But was luckily knocked off by a rich man’s kid,

The dead body went there and the car the other side,

It was just an accident, just another night.

Operation something they called, a cleanliness drive,

Bulldozers were called and footpaths cleared,

The other side slept but this one cried,

Beauty arrived on just another night.

Chachu (17/7/98)