Destiny’s child
today during my morning walk around the park
a bitch Rani, the Queen, with an injured left leg accosted me
pathos and hunger loomed large in her eyes
all she needed was tender loving care
i wanted to touch her, comfort her, heal her wounds
tell her that all will be well
i did nothing but cringe
my compulsions got the better of me
and i walked away with leaden feet
she sat down quietly on the pavement
and looked forlorn
back home Simba, the King, greeted me
with his familiar lick
i looked into the German shepherd’s eyes
and saw the same need
a little less exigent perhaps
picked him up and played with him
nuzzling his double coat
getting wet by his saliva
as i pen this poem in an air-conditioned study
Simba sits quietly on the Jaisalmer
away from the Persian carpet
he loves the cool ambience
while the neighbourhood bitch with a limp leg
a destiny’s child awaits
her dose of tender loving care
in an unfair world
9 September 2007
