Poetry at Sangam
Poetry at Sangam showcases poetry in English and translations as well as essays on poetics and news of new releases.
these palm leaf predictions
why be afraid my friend
you know you can fly away
these brittle vanes
close like wings
then open with secrets
leaf fans smudged blue with rain
Sanskrit sinuous language
words woven with ink
writhing stories thick and wild
like my hair curls they want
to tame tie down or cut if I let them
but I will fight like a cat
no one will marry you unruly one
unlucky one they say to me
often you go to the pavement fortune teller
take me with you
he spreads the ancient leaves
sings pick one, pick one, Oh sweet Mithu
and his jewel-green parakeet of prophecy
whose wings he has clipped
steps out of the metal cage
to pick a leaf just for me
friend never believe anyone who keeps
a bird in a cage I can read
these whorls and curlicues
what does he know of my spirit
we were not born to be tamed
this loop of words
on the last leaf here
it is not a noose
it is the sky calling