CRISIS OF IDENTITY

On that fine Sunday morning
(all Sundays are fine)
he went out for
his usual visit to
the city nearby.
Walked the way
under the blazing summer sun
half-an-hour walk
enough to make him
sweat profusely
his long flowing greying
hairs
dangling along both
shoulders
his pepper-salt moustache
long flowing greying beard
his dress and the
whole body getting
drenched,
entered he a gents'
beauty parlour
air-conditioned room
welcomed him
deposited his chappals outside
and made the entry.
Hair-dressing
dyeing, facial
all facilities available
and like Kingfishers
two smiling youths
jumped upon him
service minded they
"trim the hair
trim the beard
moustache
enough and more".
Serious he was
expressions as well as
voice,
but no
the youths not that
easily disheartened
took out one by
one their unparallelled
skills of entrapping
the new found customer
from their 'arsenal'
"you look very strange
and ugly sir,
with this long flowing
hairs, pepper-salt
moustache,
and these dirty
long, flowing beards.
Ugly sir, quite ugly
but you know,
you are a charming
youth,
so handsome,
basically
we, we can't find
words to present
before you
the picture of a
pleasing face,
hiding behind
shall we remove this
unwanted remnants
of the past
make you handsome
prince charming
to make you fascinating
before ladies - cute
pretty.
Give us a chance,
at least one chance
to shape a
new 'avatar' out of you
entreating they were
tender-hearted he
turned
bowing to their
pleasing persuasion
submitted himself
to their whims and
fancies,
like a lady enjoying rape
many things done
on him
one after another
all completed
one youth displayed
the mirror from various angles
"see how
pleasant-looking and
charming you are,
enjoy yourself"
"who is this new
fellow?" - asked he
to himself silently
his eyes wide
ofcourse
more sad
less delighted,
yet displayed delight
to satisfy them.
Bill paid
Hefty it was
caught an autorickshaw.
reached the house
within minutes to show
his new face to his wife.
Door remained shut,
as usual,
pressed the calling
bell
wife looked through the window
"who are you man?"
stood he aghast
unfamiliarity reflected
on her face,
her eyes too,
gone wide
shut she the door
from behind
locked it from
inside.
knocked he the door
repeatedly,
no response came out
stood he there
flabber ghasted,
and walked out
into the street........