Coming Back

we are now approaching New Delhi station
send the car to the east exit
with so many marriage processions
it will take an hour to be home

                         *

I told you about that bridge
from beneath which the river has walked away
and crows’ feet on white afternoon sand
punctured white-water rafts laid out to dry

                         *

the hotel was by this dry river bed
called ‘moon-ran-away’
or ‘moon-destined’
or just moon shaped

                         *

they have planted poplar on the crown
good cash crop
they probably make cigarette paper
with the pulp

                         *

the girls all wear navy blue cardigans
and go to school on bicycles
and yellow beaked black geese
fly formation into the setting sun

                         *

we are at the platform now
my bag is so light
I don’t need a porter
thank god for cellular phones
that protect us from ourselves

                         *

turn the key in the front door lock
and take your pills
don’t wait up





Chang La Pass - Ladakh

this airless climb
cries on the knees
the Indian tree
meanders
into sunglasses
that stare

like upended stones
like mountain goat
that breathe rare
at abominable heights

like cloud
that wisps away
into sky

why should we begin
to tell the story
of this love-filled love

why
should we start to cry




Walking

fulfill
gaps

the wasps will fly
at 9am
and honey will flow
down the mountain side
with sun


in snow



-Ashok Niyogi

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