Another wintry day
petals over petals
of quiet wind
hiding a warmth
from these streets of
old delhi
where fables had once been
strangled
in the lunacy of a crowded
moment
and you today
going alone
somewhere
on a rickshaw
in the midst of a mist
unaware
of streets that have long
surrendered
to the frost on
your lips
the old man
fort
holding a respite
of hurts in a sky of
sewn blue
haunted
I see you turn around
suddenly
catching the freeze
in your grip
as the rickshaw
catches another lane
another day
in wintry
old delhi.
– Dr. Amitabh Mitra
February 6, 2005