Late Again

By Praneet Sarkar

Late again...

Spent from a night out.

An eluded alarm,

The disgruntling daylight;

Peeping, intruding through the curtain.

A disrupted dream, idle eyes, lazy limbs...

The diurnal drive downstairs;

Sluggish. Slight.

A pending pillow, a singing sparrow,

Sealed cereals... Kept for the morrow.

A counter, a cup of liquid contrition;

Knocked down by the heedless hand...

The sprinting timepiece... Overlooked; another stain.

A shrivelled shirt, trousers; baggy, begrimed boots...

Ready to make the train.

Tick-tock! Late again...

Another missed ride, another futile stride.

Drifting eyes, now detained,

Trapped by an inviting smile.

Like a dart to a board... Perfect in aim!

Could be a Melanie or Jenny or Britney...

What's the harm in asking her name?

The tenacious ticking... Quarter past ten!

What's the rush? Have a seat... Let's get late again!

By Praneet Sarkar