DOCTOR AND PATIENTS

POEM

I awaited the doctor

seated in a chair

in the portico of his house.

I was the first to come

and my token No.1 

and I was here since an hour.

Unfortunately the doctor was not ‘IN’

when would he turn up, no idea.

Whether he along with

his family had gone

our for shopping

or on a long distance journey, no idea.

I pressed the calling

but no answer was forthcoming.

I started from home early

to meet and consult him at the earliest.

Seconds and minutes ticked by

patients one after another began to arrive

and each took up a token thrust  on the spike

in numerical order.

Evening Sun appeared in the

Western horizon

intensity of his anger slowly mellowed

and he covered the earth with his golden silk.

Those who came first got seats

remaining ones stood like statues

some others walked to and fro along the

courtyard of his house.

Impatience was writ large

on everyone’s face.

None knew the doctor’s contact number

and all were helpless.

Darkness descended on the earth

street lights opened their eyes

patients one by one

began returning to their residence.

Me too emptied the chair

and walked out in despair.

By the time

the doctor reached

home it was late

and after changing dress

the doctor began awaiting the patients….