THE NEST

Naming it a house
something cruel.
Call it a nest
or a moth-eaten structure
about to fall down
anytime
grimy walls
only one room
a recess the apt word
the little chick and
mother hen
daughter and mother,
embedded in the nest
not at all safe.
An opposite gender
not to look
after them,
in the thick forest
where the nests are
abundant
safely built on trees
by winged ones
this nest alone
on the ground
mother and daughter
not winged
only human beings.
On completion of
morning chores
one proceeds to
the world of letters and figures
other to the forest
to slug it out
something to earn for
the day.
Both flock to the nest
in the evening
start the evening chores
spend few moments
lament over the fate
lying on the ragged mat
on the floor
on the outskirts of
the society.
An elephant can
trample upon them
a tiger, a bear
can tear each apart
they not fear
albeit
fear something alien
to them……
no let-up other than
that…..