PostPoems Be Artistic. Be Creative. Be Inspired!

The narrow lane leading to the main street close by

Barber shop, carpenter store,hardware shop on one side

The other side of the narrow lane a big garbage dump

Walled on three sides full of stinky garbage overflowing

Pedestrians walk past fast hankys on their noses almost running

An old knarled banyan tree with a hole at the trunk's  bottom

Sixteen sqare feet of ceramic tiles circling the tree

Sandalwood "bindi" on foreheads fold hands bow feel free

Three four cycle rickshaws lazily parked waiting for passengers

Their fares are quite high hence not preferred by wayfarers

Motorised autorickshaws patter past side by side with mobikes

The lazy knick-knack stall frequented by kids for fizzy spikes

Corner of the street adorned by famous sweetmeat shop

Sweet toothed Bengalis bite into juicy sugary sweets till they drop

Oh ! the thirtyish man in half sleeved vest and dark pyjamas

Well combed hair ,stubble bearded ,wearing rubber chappals

He catches my eyes every time I meander onto the street

Since eight in the morning he stands beside a pushcart on feet

He sells roses, hibiscus,marigold garlands,basil and bael leaf

Pretty colourful bunches of loose petals at only ten a packet

Bolai,the flower seller- sullen,professional,yet happy soul

Ah ! the golden garlands red garlands bought for home deities

Strangely the nasty stink of garbage heaps evades his cart

Oft as I pass by I think if he is lucky or just plain smart

©bishu