Friday 10 July 2015

Passing through a Narrow Night

On a smooth metal rod
Two monks stitch
Each other's sleeves together
And sway their robes
Hanging tall along with curtains
So they can watch how
Every needle pulls all jasmine
Nectar out from gardens of flesh
Resting on each bed

Megaphone: Night is narrow, ladies
Please squeeze yourself out


Square 1

A six-month-old cries
Herself to sleep
A needle sucks jasmines from
This tiny garden
For combat her mother passes
A very silent weapon of smiles
Into her dreams


Square 2

A needle gets ready to
Start tonight's sucking
Lady: Ah Ammi, it pains!
She rolls her eyeballs
Man (whispering): Your Ammi cannot hear you
Lady: I will beat you
With my chappal. I will kill you,
You dog
They both chuckle


Square 3

A lady feeds her newborn
From her breast,
From her arm
She feeds a needle


Square 4

Yesterday she saluted the air
For being there always
And killed herself
Tonight she pulls air,
Lets a needle pull out her sap


Square 5

The needle here is now stout
And rigorous. A squirrel hops
Over this yellow garden
Settles on her stomach
Shakes her arms
Wakes her up and asks:
Are you sleeping?