FLUTIST

In a suburb train

As I commute to my college

Daily, I see

BOTTLEFISH

He’s a fish

In the bottle

And a fish

Out of the bottle

He’s a fish

Among the bottles

A bottle

Can’t contain him

So can’t he

Contain self with one

Thirst-angel

Gulp gulp gulp

Throat craves

More more more

Want not of tongue

Life

Corked in the bottle

Death drowns him

In the bottle.

WHAT WE LOST WHEN WE GAINED?

I became blind at ten, and after a year’s stay home, joined a special school to resume my studies. I learnt Braille, and in three month’s time knew to read and write both Tamil and English (including shorthand).