
By Sanket Mhatre
At the airport
The ban has been lifted
Doors open. The first travellers are ushered
The click of check-ins.
Trolleys scramble, without any distance.
.
I am waiting for you.
There’s one voice. Then another. Followed by many. Till there’s cacophony.
Sign: The world has returned to normal.
.
Counters fly open. Smiles flutter. Scarves swing into action.
Luggage belts start with a thud. Leather rubs against leather.
Gucci against Desi* against plastic without the fear of isolating.
.
I am waiting for you.
Food stalls open. There are complimentary desserts for the first travellers.
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Air is sprayed with lavender fresheners. I think of you. Lavender is closer to mauve. Mauve is you.
Outside, a plane takes off.
I think of your eyes. What will your eyes think of this?
Would they search and find me? Would I have to find them?
Another thought surfaces: where are we flying? Where?
I am still waiting for you.
I have kept my face unshaven. Messy hair.
I have removed the extra grey. Just because it’s grey.
The world has passed through enough grey. No more grey now.
.
You arrive at a distance. And stop.
Our eyes don’t have to search for too long. We placed ourselves well within our sight.
Your bags drop. A corner of your lip quivers with truth and remembrance.
You are wearing mauve.
I greet you as several planes take off in the distance.
“Where to?” I ask.
“To each other,” You say.
Twenty One Days dissolve in an embrace.
And countless poems.
.
Here, I am still waiting for you.
It’s Day One.
At the airport.
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*Desi — of Indian origin
Sanket Mhatre is a well-known bilingual poet writing in English & Marathi. He has curated Crossover Poems. Apart from this, Sanket Mhatre has been invited to read at Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, Poets Translating Poets, Goa Arts & Literature Festival, Jaipur Literature Festival and Vagdevi Litfest.
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One reply on “Twenty-One Days Later”
Its a refreshing poem after the lockdown. Good one.
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