Cartographic Memory

Everyone out. She’s in. Her signature walk, a dancer’s. Her asymptotic look in the elevator, grazing my face like a bullet. Saw her in red today. On my floor, sitting surrounded by plants, facing me. Fully...

To an old friend E. Eleven years of soft smooth skin Your hungry hands, Quiet, questioning, Waiting, tired Still a friend. Now this song Makes me Quiet, questioning, Wondering Why am I rooted in you? Are you my country...

Suddenly awake, head flooded with A painful “thud” that made me cringe in pain. Stupid alarm radio. Always does that. It began its song already, ignoring me. Sleep. It never comes to me free of images. Now...

A smile is more real than a kiss Here in Bengaluru my longing amplifies, Becomes anxious. After years and decades of being away Here I am home, away from home. In Bengaluru. Here when folks see me, they long for where I...

I did not understand fire, Until I saw desire in her eyes. Nor did I know the smell of ashes, Until I was tucked in the urn. Between the desire and the ashes, A country self-immolated in hatred. Its men drunk plenty on...

She told me this would happen That the time present would fly But the time past would stay. Hearts that pounded together Would break alone, and Divide in solitude, into twins. She said one twin will fly to her And the...