Tricolour

In  between crimson and green
A silvery screen
Displaying the whirl of triumph
India! My India!!

In between colour and colour
I’m Indian!
the pride and power
Of the flag bearers.

In between Kashmir and Kanyakumari
I run for water
They give me blood
Studs of greenish bruise

In between skyscrapers and  marble
I’m the peasant
Swelling and rotting in mud
In the slums of scams

In between saffron and sickle
I’m white Sonia
The frail voice of the people 
Breaking on the rocks.

In between Trishul and Pokhran
I’m the monkey
Made to grin
At the father of the nation.

In between temple and mosque
I’m an orphan
The gift of man for man
To draw alms door to door.

In between law and teachers
I’m  the donkey
To approve lashes and loops
Authorising butchers.

In between Hubli and Killa
I hear the echoes
of draft national songs
Jai Shriram, Jai Rahim!

In between  rose…leaf…fringe
I’m colourless patch
Invoking tricolour
Tri..colour  tri..colour.