Sprawling compound it is,
Entrances two,
Exits cum entrances.
No gun wielding policemen -
At both ends.
Simple, pure, fearless democracy.
Compound sprawling it is
Buildings puranic (ancient).
Tile-roofed, white-washed,
Grimy both.
Buildings criss-crossing
All houseful
Cob-webbs embellish -
The walls and the ceilings lavishly.
Cars parked hither and thither
Keeping no pattern,
Courts,
Civil,
Criminal,
Motor accident claims tribunal
Sub-Registrar office,
Taluk office,
Police-station adjacent,
Police jeeps
Always on the move blaring sirens,
Khaki-clad men,
Looking around,
Searching and restless their eyes,
always.
As if on the look out for
Somebody.
Compound sprawling it is.
Anthru’s tea-stall still there
Anthru, the tea vendor
Busy with tea making always,
Cooking vadas and banana roasts
Facing the heat.
Red-eyed, dark man -
Pakru, still the
active, vibrant supplier,
energetic he is throughout.
His shirts and lungi muddied
Pakru, the carrier,
carries,
tea, coffee, vada, banana roast
One office to another
Kind of shuttle service.
Pakru the energy-provider,
Pakru the energy source.
Compound sprawling it is
Courts,
Civil,
Criminal,
Tribunal,
Houseful.
Men in dark,
Women in dark,
Lawyers they are.
Courts always silent.
Magistrate,
Always serious, gentle
Lawyers in dark ropes,
Chain of dark islands
lined on the wooden chairs,
heads
impregnated with bundle of lies, truths,
True-lies,
Courts houseful,
Plaintiffs,
Respondents,
Witnesses - PWs, CWs
Onlookers, well-wishers,
Inside,
Outside.
Compound sprawling it is
Passersby always on the move,
in groups and singles,
types various,
Look-arounders,
my own business-wallahs,
Moving straight to the other end.
Compound sprawling it is.
Jackfruit tree, its greenery-
umbrella-like
Grandpa, centuries old,
Lone
Silent, eyewitness
Provider of shades to the needy,
Free of cost,
Generous Grandpa,
Caring Grandpa,
Loving Grandpa,
Cares he everyone,
No one in return.
Poor Grandpa.
Like poor Mahatma on the Court hall
witnessing all with his toothless smile.
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