In each shadow each bend
and inside me when I close my eyes
you stand staring at me.

You always arrive before me
at the incomplete pier
at the hillside growing dark
at the old ghat
and back home
by the other way.

Blue stripes on red, the shirt
size 9 footwear
new watch that looks old
specs that turn day into night.
You even ask me:
isn’t the size of your underwear 95?

You
you flirt with my love
play with my kids
perform rites for my forefathers.
Seeing you
my pet parrot sings
dog wags its tail.

I sleep waiting
for you to wake up
to walk alone
at least in a dream.

On all the trees I planted
flutter your flags.

When I go hunting
the antlers I aim at fall
pierced by your arrow.