Expectant

Photo of a dog sitting on the doorstep of a house.

Expecting payment
for his work as guardian—
dog awaiting bones.

Glowing

Photo of the sun setting behind an empty field.

As daylight departs
glowing sunset approaches
with all guns blazing,

Defiant

Photo of the silhouette of a leafless tree at sunset.

Face-off with the sun
in the middle of nowhere,
one tree stands its ground.

Ouch

Close up photo of chopped onions, curry leaves, tomatoes, garlic, and green chillies on a wooden cutting board.

Outlining mine eyes,
wiping away streaming tears:
chilli-chopped fingers.

Birthday

close up photo of a birthday candle and the box it came in

Bright-eyed and sparkling,
candle, wastes its life away;
defines another.