A Look Around Poem by Sharad Chandra

When tired of being alone
with myself in my room
I take a walk to look around –
dusty dawn, thirsty birds, lame cows
aged children with burdened brows.
squatting lifelessly about
near the steps of the temple
or at the gate leading to the lake
now turned a grazing ground
for stray cattle;
watching balloons go high in the air
with the detachment of a disgusted octogenaire
hearts empty
of all desire, all curiosity.
tending to new tears
in their tattered pants
or gazing idly at the flies
gorging on the gaping wounds
on their body.

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