You live in the deeper recesses of
the fort surrounded by villages
in the mind of a dust-storm and in an
air thick with voices of the heart.
days creep by amidst cracked skin
and charpoy ropes as
evenings close in within the big gates.
goats and camels share a fervent tale
of heat and madness huddled
with men in nooks of night.

Far beyond a jingle of payals and a
swish of blue adorning your breasts
in a corridor
touched by a moonshine
my mouth hunts
riding your breath
tonight.

Dr. Amitabh Mitra
December 1, 2002