STREET
CRICKET
Bhavana Shridhar Chari
The Street chums gather in groups of Six,
To play Gully Cricket in a medley mix;
Each group, competes with the other, in a quick fix!
It’s a bet! one can’t, on the other, cheat or play tricks.
There is an order, nonetheless! in this chaotic group;
One bowls, and the batsman is caught in a tricky scoop!
The decision, nonchalantly, goes with the majority of the troop!
The next batsman, resumes again, on the crease to stoop!
Vociferously, they shout, during the game in action,
They run, they leap, they jump and face reaction!
They unite, they confirm, they agree to one proposition,
That there shouldn’t be any clash of opinions, in each faction!
Of course, the folks in the neighbourhood take objection;
When the ball enters their compound, or a window crashes to fragments;
The elders argue to grapple with the situation;
There are mixed feelings and finally a consensus, from different sections!
Yet, the boys resume play, with nothing the fear of the world
A brave generation they are, who face the front as bold;
Not withstanding the rain, the heat or the cold!
These are the stark gully cricketers, we are told!