Bus travel

Cool breezes drift through the neem trees

mangoes and winter wheat

drongos and bee eaters:

tall canes protect the village.

 

Under the eaves of the teashop

a confusion of wires and a big TV.

GURRAM CHA !

- we're here again.

 

The frontier of Bihar -

a lorry crash of course.

Thousands of vehicles waiting

for the road to clear,

policemen chatting on the bridge

eventually set us free.

 

Shade under the mango tree,

a hot picnic, sheltered bushes

and a good place for the ladies.