By: Tanmoy Biswas 

Kolkata. Sudder Street bylanes.
New Delhi. Rajiv Chowk, outside metro station.
Hyderabad. Punjagutta Circle.
Bangalore. Backyards of Majestic.
Kathmandu. Thamel.

Faces painted trite.
You smack of caution. Your catches stink erection, beer and
(if you’re lucky enough) money.
Your best past is a customer
who was kinder and visited you oftener.
Your worst pasts visit you in nightmares.
That deep ugly scar on your face
was made one early morn when you asked for your due share from one-eyed Biltu who had brought the moneyed bird.

You’ve a dream too –
one day you’ll leave this city.