Burdwan, West Bengal, India

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The sparrows sit on the clothesline

and look for your smile

every morning.

The dehydrated toothbrush patiently waits

for a bead of toothpaste that you used

to squirm with arthritic hands.

Supposing you are in the kitchen

the crow pauses for the fish gills

outside the window.

The idols sit mute in their spaces

expectingthe vespers.

At night the old teak bed

searches your frail frame.

Certificate

Muddled words on a white paper

duly signed by the concerned authorities

validate death.

No paper authenticates

the anaesthetic bed

prickles that filigreed the thin veins

the disloyal memory.