Aegis

A child in arm

nestling, for aegis

A man

bedding upon the home

draws a circle on the forehead

a line penciled, and then trots past

the woman-body moves

not beyond.

Tulsi plant tentacles

shading, hiding, patiently lending ears

Rangoli colors romance

the soul poured out in the courtyard,

as fingers snaked through.

stampede

outside the corridor, overheard

eyes wake

her long coiffure unknot,

gravid shoulder rises.

The slippers left the noise out

the door bolted behind.

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p.b

n.b – the home becomes the centre point for every woman while the man sneaks out nonchalantly. She has the house to decorate, the babies to feed, none but to listen to her. Tulsi(line9): a herb; Rangoli(line 11): powder painting.