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Parallels / Platform 16 Delhi Junction Railway Station

A woman sat on a bench. Waiting.
Her elbows hooked onto her two heavy handbags.
Her crossed arms held herself.
Her feet gripped the handle of her fat attachee.

To Not Let Go is an art
we practice well sitting on platforms.

Trains didn’t arrive here
to load or unload passengers
Most people looked like their luggage.
Most luggage looked like their people.

After half an hour a train crawled in.
Speakers announced the arrival of ‘Mathura-Ghaziabad’
A man carrying a matchstick in his mouth got on.
Nokia mobile phone patted his ear as he spoke,
“I am not here. Going to Bambai.”
He swiftly moved to window seat.

We Are Going to Get Somewhere
might be the name of a matchbox.

Three women and two children
Sat on the edge of the floor of the train
facing the door
Even though the train was empty.
There has to be more freedom in doorways that windows can’t seem to give.



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