I’ve committed to writing a poem a day for the month of April as part of National Poetry Writing Month. This is day 18.
18th April
Today I’ve dipped into a journal I kept when I visited India two years ago. There’s lots of material in it. Mumbai made a big impression, so I’ll spread them over 2 or 3 days.
Mumbai is … (part 1)
a city of ten million car horns
at least 50% of them blaring
at any one time
a city of child beggars carrying small babies
deformed beggars displaying their stumps and mangled limbs
blind beggars, palms upheld in supplication
a city of crumbling buildings
damp and dark skinned
enfolding countless struggles to survive
a city of stylish Mumbai shops
designer boutiques
affluence unabashed by poverty
a city of two storey shacks
of iron, wood and cardboard
steps up to padlocked bedrooms
a city of black and yellow cabs
swarming like ladybirds along
every inch of every street
copyright Mike Hopkins 2012
April 18th, 2012 at 10:24 pm
Strong images here, MH, this piece is like a picture postcard. Looking forward to reading the next one(s).
April 18th, 2012 at 10:27 pm
Yes Jen. India is a kaleidoscope of images (and sounds, and smells). They bombard you from every direction, every minute of the day.
April 19th, 2012 at 6:40 am
You’ve created a clear image of a busy and crowded city and the economic divide that often results.