Shaniwarpeth

people gather on saturday in shaniwarpeth
come to shaniwarpeth on a saturday

the weather forecast is murky
no matter what time of the year in shaniwarpeth

expect low visibility
sulphurous dust fog
two or three cows
dung expertly plastered on backsides
five or six dogs
one crippled
one pink-diseased, all randy

ladybug rickshaws
slithering motorbikes
dust laced trees
peepal, supari, kadu-nimba
barely breathing

on a saturday, before everything,
go to the hanuman temple
shani must be paid his due
then you may do as you please
ganapati next to hanuman
and vishnu-laxmi across the street
another ganapati down that boL
everybody you have to greet

you may think they're looking stonily in front
parallel gaze meeting at infinity
but don't overlook the third eye
rotating omnisciently
ominously omnipresently
watching your every move
not a leaf shakes in shaniwarpeth
without a report filed in some divine register

observe courtesies
pay respects
breach no protocols
play no favourites

but no need to walk on eggshells
no need to hold your breath
only, don't make eye-contact
or sudden moves
praise no god
over and above any other
just act like everything is normal
and godly politics farthest from your mind
your life may depend on it

an uneasy peace reigns in shaniwarpeth
on saturday, sunday and every day of the week
but best to come on a saturday
just to be on the safe side.