Mani Rao

Disappeared into his shadow. The man without a shadow.

The shadow had a person. Don't let your shadow find another person.

Escorting our shadows we take them where they want to go.

Folding his shadow on his arm he went.

If everything is impermanent why do you want it I don’t want anything for ever

You will disappoint everyone Then you will be free

Every evening the trees inhale birds Swirling back home a warm shawl But I still wait for my perch in your arms

I would peg so lightly the sheets of your night flights We would travel in one mind your old lands my new skies And every morning you would breathe me fly

Some deaths are well-dressed Butterflies neatly folded Some have banners One ragged wing banging in the wind

One by one the petals bowed Such polite timing We gave each its due

Now uncapped The smiling pod seedy teeth The old bitter-gourd Shaking to be a rainstick

On the contrary when You are dying you change To prose The family finds out who gets what You are finally understood

Yes we did did we Would you could you

Oh go to bed Sleep off Be ok in the morning

How was it my skin Had no buttons Was heavy

By the fountain Overbridge The radio by the song When you knew

What if I don’t come back For a lifetime

I'll be making tea You'll look in from the window Over the porcelain bird

Disturb the bread and now it’s flat Next time check with me first

Drop in any time even if you are not around You too phone when you have nothing to say

What’s your name I asked Omnibird Said it in surroundsound

No primadonnas among us One sounds like another of its kind And doesn’t mind the rhyme It’s the art of singing in a choir Even when singing solo

Petition re petition A signature campaign Second sopranos Clamoring to be first

When I draped it around myself I found it wasn’t fur it was alive and wouldn’t let go

So I danced with the bear and got to know the lightness and seriousness of its hands

Delicately with cultured paws it tore at my flesh and stopped for some other thought

What does a half-wed do What can a half-wed do

Keep the wound lush Smile in secret Stay in bed

By day freckles pop mustard seeds By night moon glosses grain on lake rims

Oh I know you wait for me in the palace But I am busy with the garden roses

Dazed fiery I take to their cool nectar pastures Forgetful of the closing skies