5:46, Andheri Local Poem by Arundhathi Subramaniam

5:46, Andheri Local

Rating: 5.0


In the women's compartment
of a Bombay local
we seek
no personal epiphanies.
Like metal licked by relentless acetylene
we are welded—
dreams, disasters,
germs, destinies,
flesh and organza,
odours and ovaries
A thousand-limbed
million-tongued, multi spoused
Kali on wheels.

When I descend
I could choose
to dice carrots
or a lover
I postpone the latter.

POET'S NOTES ABOUT THE POEM
From: On Cleaning Bookshelves
Publisher: Allied Publishers, Mumbai, 2001
COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Dr. Shubha Dwivedi 30 October 2022

The poem exemplifies the collective strength of working women attempting to leave their mark on the face of an impersonal city that robs them of their distinctness and individuality. A lovely and compelling portrayal of women working to effect change.

0 1 Reply

Wonderful narration of travel in local trains in Mumbai.

0 0 Reply
Subhas Chandra Chakra 10 November 2017

A real time poem so nicely penned, so touchy. 10+++

3 0 Reply
Abdulrazak Aralimatti 11 December 2015

Verily, a heart touching poem Loved reading it

1 1 Reply
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