Sali

Plowing the pages of textbooks,
Sali’s teenage sauntered away
like a bull.

Her breath smelling chewing gum still lingers
in the solitude of his soul, but he’s
forbidden to call up.

His free bird’s died, getting a shock from
the wire of life – worms of worries
rot his mind.

He’s been installed in an insalubrious office,
where he gets itch from the file-ants
and the bossy-words.

His spouse’s spun a web for him –
he always moves
like a spider.

It’s only when he babbles to his baby
that he feels,
‘I live’.

He chews betel to reduce the level of
his tension - stains increase
day by day .

‘Adult’ is imprinted on his back
to carry all on
his back.

He jumps from counter to counter like
a grasshopper with the bills
in diverse hues.

And all his hopes are
cast over a never
homing day.

First published in my book, 'Kanoli Kaleidoscope' by punkswritepoemspress, US.