Two Poems
Excuses
Poulumi Sengupta I'll be serious about work I tell myselfNo cheating!
On waking up say to the mirror, "Here I am!"
Though the grumpy mirror will scowl
Reflect back at me a maiden
With oiled-up hair and a snub-nose But I won't care about those things
And dive into my work. Household,
Baby, office, husband, laundry list,
Books, sewing buttons, shoe shine--
No shortage of work. The whole day will speed by
I'll blow off stacks of calories
And forget to eat at midday Evening, stand before that same mirror
Bring out from the bag the work list
Flick off with a finger all laziness, all short-cuts
And then like a flower in full bloom
Lift to hold up to the mirror
My fistful of robust excuses.
Let's Go, Comrade
Mohor Chattapadhayay Hey, Comrade? Working too hard? Headache ah, stuff it!Let's go have some fun. I am free
nowdays. For the time being. Three weeks. Want to go to Joka? Take
a shower, slap on some aftershave, get ready. Go ahead take a lick--
Capitalist-imperialist, creative artist my arse
so much fandangle on this tiny planet. The outlines
of Marxist philosophy you once knew, and then naturally
forgot - once we get to Joka I'll make you go thru them
all over again - yes, you! At the end what will
you do with influence-power? There is no end to the vileness
of kings-queens-ministers. So my chortles, check it out
from the corner of your eyes. Then hold my hand and speak up.
What you'll say I won't coach you. I feel giggles welling up
in me. Once we get to Joka I'll laugh so hard that…
Anyway, screw all this! Free yourself of all your acres and piles
Of land and inheritances; piss on all stupid political games.
Prepare yourself. Free for three weeks. You get me?
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