My poems published in Das Literarisch, Vol.7, Issue 1, January-June 2024

 

1

 

ABRUPT NOTES

 

Intentionally layered

internally fragmented

queer antics:

 

she builds up her own

sexual toolkit to prove

how coward man is

 

she sees a rapist

in each man detests

the male smell but trusts

one night stand

with deep thrust

long erections

and climax control

for blood to soak smoothly

 

she sits shrouded

in her see-through pink gown

on the terrace

inviting autumn winds

for longer stopover

just to accuse the artist

of invading her body

 

she curses a young bull

for obstructing her way

in the street shouts at hawkers

 

and, yet another

at eighty re-imagines

fading memories

with snaky radiance

to break a new dawn

 

my friend says

the dynamics change:

there’s a before

and an after

to feel life

 

I say yes, but I’m tired

of walking and writing

what I watch

 

I’m no tout to comfort

or restore the faith

of a dwindling flock in heat

culling is convenient

 

2

 

SOLITUDE

 

Little birds

collect on the railing

seek no water or food

just talk how the day went

and fly back to their nests

 

here I am

slouch at the 6-inch screen

stay cut off from sunlight

dream fertile solitude

 

3

TANKA

 

Unquenched thirst

more and more indulgence:

momentary pleasure

she says it's enough now

rein the horse and seek the missed

 

***

 

Half-drunk women

on one side of the road

pimps on the other

ready to seize  first-timers

to the tin box by street lamps

 

***

 

Standing on a cloud

look through an open doorway:

desires awakened

before I could step inside

the door closed, I missed my chance

 

***

 

At the swimming pool

he asks if he could borrow

her underwear just

to feel her from inside

with fidgeting currents

 

***

 

Await setting of

burning sun and arrival

of night to go out

for a beer with chips

to soothe her hurt spirit

 

***

 

 

God has become

a habit in helplessness:

faith a deception

when unable to enjoy

love, life and wonders of world

 

***

 

With dumbbells in hand

he logs in YouTube to build

arm muscles and says

he's off social media

to make new relationships

 

***

 

Baffling my brain

mosquitoes find my vein

in night's darkness

they land without humming

suck blood with swollen itch

 

 

--R. K.  Singh