Tsunami Before This Sight -Seeing Pongal Day

[SivaRamanathan]

Last week I drove down the Marina.
Today I ventured to the Foreshore Estate
not daring to lower the glass windows
and that, only for a few seconds
for the smell of death.
It is the same as bleaching powder
the smell of medical camps
in the night light
of this sight-seeing Pongal.
I see yawning huts
people making their houses
on stationary boats
thrown to the roads.
The car has to squeeze in between
and the proud and hurt fish people
are telling their tales.

Tomorrow I will go by broad daylight.