Band Aid for the Soul

No,

I can deal with my bag,

Thank you.

The man at the gate looks at me.

I’m wearing earrings that

Two of my exes,

Were somewhat fond of.

My sweater,

Is a little too big.

It insists on resting off

My left shoulder.

I don’t mind.

I’ve never had an issue with my shoulders.

Let’s see what we have here,

Pink walls,

Overflowing ashtrays,

A cloying room freshener.

The woman at the reception is distracted.

She doesn’t pay attention

When I tell her

That I have a room booked in my name.

She keeps looking at the door

Which keeps swinging from my entry.

Guessing her perplexity,

 I say, I’m by myself.

Oh, she says.

She looks at me,

At my earrings,

Searchingly,

And finds her answer in the band aid that

My sweater has decided to reveal.

She furrows her brow a little.

I practice my smile on her.

               

             ***

© Rasagya Kabra, January 25, 2012

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एक अजनबी झोंके ने जब

पूछा मेरे ग़म का सबब,

सेहरा की भीगी

रेत पर,

मैंने लिखा

आवारगी।

~ Ghulam Ali 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nt9SmLmcx3Q