GEORGIA MERTON

A poem for India

The chaos begins with the dawn chorus 

thousands of hacking coughs 

join the dogs and birds 

to herald the sun’s hazy ascent

plan nothing for your day

simply watch 

the flurry of human activity 

the streets fill with doers, watchers, sellers, buyers, quick solutions and plenty of helpers 

wobbling bikes, near misses, flipping chapatis

Life plays out with no secrets and no apologies 

rubbbish swept away from the shopfronts into piles that fill the gutter 

or streak down hillsides like vomit down the side of the local bus 

sari-clad figures of elegance glide through littered streets 

tiny men in grimy kitchens cook magnificent feasts 

Curse the horns and the smell of shit 

but look beneath 

for the beckoning dance of waggling heads and kind eyes 

moments of gentleness savoured like chai 

A lesson a minute with the streets as your teacher 

learn to relax, to let go 

to embrace the rush but let go of your hurry

expect an audience for everything you do 

watch through the eyes of the people 

see the divine brilliance that perseveres through the smog 

See how many times you can laugh in a day,

and always find time for chai