CHEATERS
 
From the home of cimmerianism that lambkin hails.
In his eye is void of endless volumes: urge to let go
the effluvium of edginess he does not understand.
He accepts his perch like most people .Some of us
have scaled a trestle or two. He knows not what he
needs to ascend. There is no lotusland. I see in his
eye the eyes I left when I procured my first pair.
 

DOWNCASTNESS
 
Your traceries embellished our wrappings with
lisle of words. I was young. I believed in them.
Happiness is tortile. It never tarries on its own.
Its convoy is escorted. That ally is now my pard.
 

TWOSOMES
(1)
 
Parenthesis became the norm at every attempt
in communication, we were ready for others.
 
(2)
 
When you’re conductor of a queue,
remember, another one awaits you.
 
(3)
 
In temporal settings permanence is sought.
Thus hums the human construct.
 
(4)
 
Megalopolis: maquette snakes itself
skywards, arrogance of erection at play.
 
(5)
 
When happiness whisks past my wicket,
I itch to wheedle her to my wheelchair.
 
(6)
 
Do you have the strength
to show me your soft side?
 
(7)
 
Douceur has its advantages. Can one trek
all of one’s tenure with tenuous connections?
 
(8)
 
Cajole me with positive karma
I will dipsy-doodle to your dictate.
 
(9)
 
Morality raises its axe
when desire isn’t stoked.
 

Sanjeev Sethi, Andheri (West), Mumbai, India