|
A snake came out
Of the hole
Of the electric pole
In a locality of Mumbai's suburb,
Of the Thane rivulet,
I was walking home from school
With mother, and she was about
To stamp on the snake, a big one
Taking shelter in a hollow Daddy!
Yesterday too, yes Daddy, I am telling you the truth
He was there yesterday too!
He is still there!
Peering out his head that was only visible
And then he disappeared like a tortoise head!
Yes Daddy! Perhaps he was searching for a place
In the shrinking habitat, I added,
Surprised perhaps to see
So many legs and wheels moving around,
In the midst of so much noise and crowd
He is left alone by the devouring metropolis!
Perhaps he was hungry, I told Mama and she was angry
Or perhaps she was scared of me -
He sprang and struck me while I was giving him food, she must have imagined.
And today we avoided the pole
And walked on the other side of the road.
But she thinks in her own way about the snake.
In her simple imagination, the snake came in search of food
And I find a parallel:
As we silently slide our existence out of our native lands
To unknown destinations!
|
