Sometimes I want to write my
name in lowercase
so that it fades behind
others when misfortune
is prowling the city streets,
reading the nameplates,
pondering which door to open,
which house to choose,
and at others I want to
write it small because
it feels more appropriate
for a small person
who mostly does the smallest
things. Little drops
of poems. Laundry. Who’s stressed about the carbon
footprint, the gender gap, potholes,
light pollution.
Pianissimo fits
better, what’s been written? -
to merit announcing the first
sound louder
than the ones that follow?
Only those proper nouns
should be allowed higher
volume, rising resonance
where the owners made some
tangible difference.
Today is Independence Day, the 75th one. A major milestone. I'm celebrating. But that is also pianissimo. Too many issues back home.
Happy Independence Day to all desvasis.
May we be free of prejudice, inequality, poverty, ignorance, arrogance and violence soonest. Jai Hind!
Hari OM
ReplyDeleteOH to the power of India the multicultural as it struggles with that very same thing. Is this the India MKG longed for? He whose name most certainly deserves its capitals? I understand your muted celebration, and join it... YAM xx
Happy Independence Day and may you be free indeed.
ReplyDeleteHappy Independence Day - with love from someone whose name is very small (if written at all). And may all of us be free of the things you mention in your penultimate sentence.
ReplyDeleteamen
DeleteHi Nila - wonderful poem and summary of life as seen in India - as the others have implied. My knowledge of India is very small ... tiny, even microscopic ... your take on the world as being small and hiding away - I too feel. Take care - with thoughts - Hilary
ReplyDeleteI'm a little late to this post, but glad I didn't miss it. Beautiful words Nilanjana
ReplyDelete