In a bus with a picture of shiva
I sit beside the emergency exit.
The picture is kitschy
(aren’t all Gods kitschy now?)
with colored fluorescent lights
framing the picture of the
ganja-smoker and his wife.
Late at night, not so,
past 9, arriving 10, on a Sunday
the ladies seats are empty
so I get the window to myself
A saint is a chief minister
while my laptop jumps
to the point of weightlessness
with the speed-breaker.
I’m thankful
That it runs on an EMMC
and not an HDD.
there is a fear eminent in air
of a coming riot
(riots daresay)
parvati, maybe durga, or whatever
woman sits with shiva
stares, peeking through
one of the shoulders
of the a passenger
How far is the destination?
Thana*?
…
Debarun Sarkar is currently based in Calcutta, India. Recent works have appeared or are forthcoming in Aainanagar, Ink Sweat & Tears, Cadaverine, The Oddville Press, and Visitant, among others.