Cartography

In an age of online maps,

I am enthused

when people ask me

for directions.

Otherwise introvert, 

while giving directions,

I, however,

make it a point that they

fully grasp the dynamics 

of walking to the place,

the mobility of reaching

from multiple perspectives.

First, I make the lanes, bylanes;

corners and turns emerge

through the gestures of my hands,

then, I immerse them

into this invisible space 

so that they comprehend

the way, not as streets, or alleys

but as duration.

Given pen and paper,

I would even draw it for them.

Being lost is an underrated talent 

no more than giving directions is.

Devotion

Inside the house,

a cat pretending to scratch all day.

Outside,

a pack of dogs fake-barking 

till we move out of sight.

Behind the house,

a congregation of birds

chirping violently.

How sublime and miraculous 

is it to realise:

these strays sneaking a look -

assuring themselves,

perhaps to God as well,

that the humans are well-fed.