A BEGGAR’S
SAGA
K. Lakshminarayana
He is a begging man
The happiest of his clan,
Passes through the lanes
Thinks of the aeroplanes.
Knocks at several doors
And smiles at the whores,
Sings annals across the streets
Forgets all his retreats.
With a sitar in his hand
Attracts children at bus-stand,
Greets people in the bars
Feels as a moon among starts.
Crosses hamlets, villages, towns
Counts the rulers and their crowns,
Recites of his bread and saga
In his own tune and RAGA.
Minds not even drenched in rain
Visits railway station sans pain,
Miles and miles, hours and days
On foot reaches shores of bays.
Sleeps on a bed of longing
And a pillow of his belongings,
When the fateful night is killed
He wakes up with smiles all spilled.