THE PROTOCOL

Red carpet rolled out
to the visiting dignitary
from the enemy country,
hands shaken lasting two
minutes.
Hugged him warmly
displayed the gritty charm
garlanded him and a bouquet
presented to him
led him to the car awaiting
outside the airport
car sped down the well-tarred
serpentine route
straight to South Block
a 'please be seated' gesture by
the host dignified host
out came both with
beaming smiles and shaking hands
for a photo-op to
the waiting journalists
with video cameras
back to the refurbished
reception hall once again
all a formality sir,
nothing but a formality
a gritty charm behind
the facade of smiles
and camarderie
that same old enemity
behind the purdah of
smiles.