Michael Standen
Under the Peepal Tree
The peepal tree breathes out and sweetly sheds
nocturnal crops of oxygen whilst one
of the big man’s men spreads out a cloth
on the limo’s bonnet, then goes to fetch
from the curtained interior certain snacks
together with hard stuff made in Lucknow.
But even he with many pies for his ringed fingers
to get into, this newly big man, is not quite easy
with lean khaki police on his mind
taking an interest in illegal outdoor drinking.
His dream is here under the peepal tree
resting a few nervy minutes but then
growing again to launch into satellite TV.
Streetwise-wise you need a box of tricks
with rags inside its sandalwood
or else with space-bounced Bollywood.
Market research the big man tells me
is the shining path to success and Q.E.D. -
and would Cambridge University
franchise the college he is planning
up-country with a view of the Ganges?
Page(s) 50
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