Cold War

A cloudy day amid June rain
Yet the office claims you, traffic jam

Gunpowder spreads a false perfume in the air
Disheveled hair. Evenings you put away the toys

Newspapers, magazines, household chores
Only I do not have your attention

An angry man, I bury my resentments deep
Suspicions fueled by you coming home late

I become a tiger, claws retracted in paws
No talking, turn over on my side, cold body on nails...

Sidduqur Rahman is a schoolteacher.