II.
The map says the coordinates are the same, but
something's moved, irrevocable, intractable
there seems to be less space around the round table
and if I try to speak, some young voice pipes up, cuts
me off mid sentence. The cushions have hardened
what was lived-in is now lumpy, there's vermilion
on the wall, dried leaves, extra sprees of religion,
too much incense, and some freedom's drawn to an end.
I can't recognise this street address, I can't breathe
for the smoke from ghee burning lamps, and the shadows
under them are the deepest, a golden flame glows
beside the threshold but the plinth erodes underneath.
The rug's frayed, the floor's crumbly - friable concrete.
It wasn't this way, don't quite recognise this street.
Okay, so I hope the political storms in the teacups of my brain are over. Of course everyone should take a stand to defend whatever opinion they hold, but I am glad it's out of my system. Don't get me wrong, I'm not for one moment saying that it's okay to be intolerant and obnoxious, just that I'm going to resist that tendency in our politics elsewhere. Here I'm happiest being bindaas and will be reverting back to that state forthwith.
All of next month I'm travelling - in USA for the first time, and meeting people I haven't seen in several decades, so excited! My post for the WEP is scheduled and I promise it's nothing political :) I will be catching up on the blog as and when I can. Meanwhile, have the most wonderful month.
