Last summer
in the domestic well
a water-snake
and two frogs that lured it in
lay dead embracing one another
enmeshed in the green moss

The cultivated amaranths
and the cassia that sprouted on its own
around the bath-room sewage
blighted in the same thirst

The timbre of the earthen pot
that slipped off the hand
was heard crackling
falling into the netherworld

And the crow perched waiting
on the banana leaf
flew away

White pebbles filtered out
the mud-stained sun

At night
roots of the banyan tree
crawled inside from the southern yard
licking they cleaned out
the crab-holes
the drossy steps
and the rock crevices
that smelt of sulphur and camel dung

And turned the well
upside down.