A furious night
of red flashing, pulsing
as the world beats with
savage drums
on lit orange streetcorners
dark eyes and black leather,
quick trigger fingers
flipping…brrrr… through rupees
Spices and gasoline in briny
sea air, light lines
on gridlocked freeways
Horns blaring like dropped gold

India’s samosa vendors
woven jumping pipe sound
chattering, roaring like Raja;
a tiger thudding heavily,
silently, through motor
rickshaws in slum streets
Dirty water, saffron saris

and sandals
clipping like fists and rap
notes in a land raging
with culture, heat, and sin