The Road — Abnish Singh Chauhan

Carrying luggage
on their heads,
the villagers know
how to meet,
how to greet,
their fellow people
along the narrow path.

They know—
how to speak of
joys and sorrows,
while weeding out
the unwanted plants
in their fields.

This conversation
impedes the moment
they leave the village,
stepping onto the road
towards the city—
where gleaming cars,
buses, tempos, and taxis
rush by,
filling the air with noise;
where the crowd is so dense,
people brush against one another;
and the danger of moving forward
intensifies,
amidst the fog and mist.

***