The precipice is
where I live
with excitement, fear
determination
indignation
my faithful friends
and constant
companions.
Have wandered away
From the familiar road
Doing strange
things
that nice middle- class
girls don’t
or, maybe won’t…?
Start an organisation
to work with
the forgotten
fuelled by passion,
driven by conviction
disdaining profit
and” proper”
ambition.
Looking at the
world
down side-Up
is now my chosen
cup.
I mourn and
fret
over the very
same news,
that my neighbours find
inane, or just amusing.
I simply can’t connect
with their views
about muslims,
slumdwellers,
dalits or
transgenders.
I scream in jubilation
when a court judgement
finally renders
justice
to people on the
margins,
I feel a need to celebrate-
even if its ten
years too late.
My achievements are many
though
probably strange
here are
some..
tell me, am I deranged?
Inviting poverty
Into an up-
market home
permanent
insecurity
and feeling
alone
a zero bank
balance
reducing my “needs”
these anomalies
became my creed.
Refusing to live
with a lying
husband
I took lovers
rarely,
but when I pleased
and left them –
at the first sign of unease.
Adopted a child
born out of “wedlock”
and became her Mum
as well as her Dad.
Said to myself
that though its
hard
single parenting-
is not too bad,
anything’s better
than
a meaningless marriage
and a sense of deadlock.
Ahh, its tiring
Exhilarating
Maddening
Painful
Beauteous
To live on the
edge
Want to try it and
see?
The trick is..
Never dwell on the
abyss beneath
Ignore the safe
and beaten path
It will lead you “astray”
your dreams
you will
betray.
Look up with your
entire being
Defy gravity
And let the
precipice
Give you life’s
meaning.
I think I like it here.
