COMPLACENCY

POEM

Everyday during my evening walk

down the narrow road

without footpath

I let my eyes wander around to the

left, right and front

to enjoy the beautiful

lush green landscape

and variety of flowers

which enchant me, enthrall me

and the cool breeze

from the west on its way

to the east caresses me,

embraces me and

plants kisses all over me lifting me to

an ethereal world.

Unlike the city which

does have footpaths

and a broad road for the

vehicles to ply in opposite directions

this rural narrow road is

full of  craters and pot-holes

thru which vehicles

move along to and fro hooting horns.

I, being a daily evening walker

those living on the street side houses

might be throwing their eyes  towards me also.

Upon looking at my eyes

wandering left, right and front

must be  apprehending an accident.

They might be shouting

at me to take care

while walking along, it seems

the narrow road full of craters

and pot-holes thru which

vehicles rush ahead blaring horns.

But I am confident

and my unusual presence  of mind

might be jumping all hurdles while walking ahead.

With the onset of sunset

after reaching the junction

I start returning to my residence.

While walking ahead

Sun evolves into a wide crimson circle about which

I always think about

‘what a glamorous visual feast to watch’

forgetting my private thoughts.

While continuing my evening walk,

a  car suddenly came to a halt

and the  man driving the

car shouted at in his full-throat voice

‘Bloody rascal, where

the hell are you glancing at

and don’t you know

how long we tooted

followed by a chain of

epithets breathlessly’.

‘Pardon me for the inconvenience

it is my fault.

Actually I was enjoying

the beautiful sunset in the western horizon.'

He was frowning at me and

without uttering a single word

turned the  ignition key and sped along.

I blushed and looked around…..