Poetry at Sangam
Poetry at Sangam showcases poetry in English and translations as well as essays on poetics and news of new releases.
Caffeine clouds the cream. Steam spirals. The hostess checks for sugar; her elderly neighbour likes two heaped teaspoons. She pours him a cup, all the time wondering if his tremors will make him drop it.
fairy tale
a forest trail appears
from nowhere
He hasn’t eaten, he says. Even though he lives with his son, he hasn’t eaten, he repeats. He tells her she is like a daughter. Hands her back her treasured china after a few grateful gulps. Suddenly the cracks don’t matter anymore.
stiletto sounds fading into the night crickets
The odour lingers long after the cleaning. Patches have settled on the muted gold wallpaper. After a few days, they meld into the walls.
cobwebs
remnants of yesterday
glint in the sun
*Published in A Sky Full of Bucket Lists, Red River, 2021