Ram Krishna Singh

Ram Krishna Singh



HOMA


Random flames in colors

meld unnamed images of fire

freezing on the kitchen walls

the soot thickens solitude


with dimming watery eyes

and asthmatic mantra

mother offers homa

each day and night

but no Agni is pleased


.


I WALK AGAIN


Rheumatic walking

the crippling lumbar crisis

they pity and pass


the waiting sun

at the naked tree’s corner

my hazy vision


managing to survive

with repair and maintenance

ageing road


revives the dying nerves

her momentary smile in sleep–

I walk again


.


JOURNEY


To win elections

they sponsor chaos chanting

Modi  Modi

kill tongues that utter dissent

or oppose foolishness


in the name of Ram

cow, love-jehad, reform

close all windows

making dysfunctional

the holy constitution


with small deities

watching periodic tango

pop up dinners

global collaborations

in newer territories


without money pouring in

dreams rise and sell

feet forward, head backward

relishing lies of

gourmet journey


.


RESURRECTION


The deities are dumb

so they speak

louder and louder

vie with each other

for godhood

descend from mosque top

to Supreme Court

now await

resurrection


.


NOISY SILENCE


Unemptied

the cup of remorse–

begging bowl

before the dumb deity

years of noisy silence


*****


.

 Published in Life and Legends, #6, 15 January 2018