Mir Mahfuz Ali Biography

Only this boy moves
between the runes of trees
on his tricycle
when an eagle swoops,
releases two arrows
from its silver wings, and melts
away faster than lightning.
Then a loud whistle
and a bang like dry thunder.
In a blink the boy sees
his house roof sink.
Feels his ears ripped off.
The blast puffs up a fawn smoke
bigger than a mountain cloud.
The slow begonias rattle
their scarlet like confetti.
Metal slashes
the trees and ricochets.
Wires and pipes snap
at the roots, quiver.
The whirling smoke packed
with bricks and cement,
chicken feathers and nigella seeds.
When the cloud begins
to settle on the ground,
the boy makes out buckled iron rods.
White soot descends
and he finds himself dressed
like an apprentice baker.
...

Our housemaid
is a tiny langur woman
with a lanky grey body.
Her face is round,
...

Deeba, did you know
I went to your room yesterday
looking for you?
...

The wide-eyed boy,
holds a split star
in the black holes
of his eyes.
...

What's this?
I'm invited to a great feast?
But here I stand, lost
in the yard,
...