One time he said I am too old
                               now
To start life anew
I am too old now he said.

One time he gave me a letter and it made me sad. It was a small paper folded
two times and had eleven plain lines

To Sh…
…was wron…
…hurt y…
…times were…
…frag…
…
…no excuse…
…hurt…
…unprovoked…
…was wro…
…my forever…
only soulma… 

The part about 'only soul mate' made me sad.

And one time he said nothing
It was durga puja night
He just held hands and looked away
                                          searching.
And one day he said, don't gas!
I've seen it all!
Pound is better than Eliot!
And one day he said
Calcutta has culture,
People read and write.
And one day he said I love to watch
The children play cricket outside.

Remember when you died?
Your shafted toe was gold ringed, Krsna,
And your feet with the ten perfect
                                   signs
That become you, had known no
                                   pain.

What if he saw the arch of your
                                instep
In the sunshine?
Maybe he'd have that 'feeling' again

next: waiting