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No Darshan at Kamakhya

Statues that have lost a nose here, an ear there
to forces of wind and water,
even as they gained centuries —

Doves using them for nesting,
love-making, chick-rearing
and besmirching —

Cows ambling
sacredly bestowing dung
for unwary pilgrims to step on —

Goats shedding pellets
instead of blood —

Pilgrims waiting for the doors
to open, and VIPs lining up
for their 'special' darshan —

Banana, papaya, margosa, sal and rain
trees in silent contemplation —

The drizzle that seems to be
nature's ticklish sense of humour —

Pandas in their red bearings
and unbearability —

The distant Brahmaputra
which is always a presence —

Among all this should I still say
that because she gave me no darshan
Kamakhya is cruel to me?

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