The Artist

  A flat 2BHK with an elevator And a parking space Maybe a red or black or blue Car will shine Under the sun there. Rushing off in a start The family is on a trip With stuffed lions and dogs Visible from the tiny window On the car’s back.   A child’s hand would hold them One by one And twist theirs ears and pull their tails Kicking her feet, she wails For her phone Maybe her Appa would reprimand Maybe her Amma would cajole But they would soon give in Choosing to ride in peace   The long trip ends with The battery dead The long, long day ends with the sunset Chicken and soda on the table Fading away through the city lights The child dreams in colours and noises   The car is parked inside The perfect yellow square Their footsteps vanish into the air The last of arguments die The lights are turned off The door is locked The perfect house is complete   But the earth beneath the car Knows an age old tale That ca