The Total Eclipse
Shadows mark the spot.Memories and present day
tape the set.
I hold my mother’s last X-ray plate
between me and
the black bloody scene.
My ancestors prohibited drinking
during a total eclipse. Eating was
forbidden as well.
I drink. I see a half ring emerge.
A broken engagement, why will you
remind me of that, heart?
My kins blame me and my stars
for the failures albeit I know better.
I know that I know nothing,
and knowing nothing is the closest
to the point zero of an eclipse.
Mother
The first time sky blackened,and an airplane was seen and heard
by the piebald pup
it yelped and rolled under
its pariah mother.
Today, she is a rainy day,
a howling cloud.
The pup is not of this world.
Hex
A sweeper drags his besombehind him. It yields a hissing noise,
lets us know about its accomplishments.
Some clouds traverse our world.
The sweeper and his long broom cast
no shadow as if they hover,
move slashing the air still and waiting
for the magic of the rain.
A woman, old gardener, gathers
the fallen ones to burn.
We startle, stare. Our shadows shiver
and return.
The Emergency Arms
Light, pregnant with the cloudsarrived with its salt centred heart,
cast a memory of my nights
on the houses and trees, swelled up
against a penumbrous backdrop.
All cars turned grey. Even if Elvis would
wheel in his Cadillac, it would have looked
the same.
A pavement dweller gathers his child,
wife, bedding, clothes and furniture
and scurries towards an asbestos shade.
His emergency arms sweep, scoop, lift
and disappear after the performance.
Yesterday
I wanted to be a summer-proof umbrella.
Today I desire to be him.
Kushal Poddar has authored nine books, the latest being ‘How to Burn Memories Using A Pocket Torch’, with the tenth now in production. Two books are published in India, two are from Australia, one is from Canada, Postmarked-Quarantine (Ice Floe Press), the rest are from the USA. His works have been translated into twelve languages, and he has been a sub-editor of Outlook magazine and the editor of Words Surfacing. In addition, Kushal does some illustrations and sketches for various magazines. However, if you ask him, he will say, that he gardens a growing up daughter. Twitter: @kushal_poe.
IceFloe Press 