Tiger Riding for Beginners

Traveling Poet Philosopher & Occasional Wiseacre

the spider waits
at the edge of its web -
conspicuous, but still

two pigeons,
flapping out of synch --
yet in unison

orange lichens 
adorn an old stone wall;
nature’s decorator

the plains below
the Himalayan foothills,
a sea of clouds

Calcutta monsoons
are unkind to memorials
of past masters

jungle engulfs,
swallows, and digests
once proud buildings

a tree burst through 
the old building’s brick wall,
and sent roots searching

Calcutta’s December:
Christmas trees stand beside
palm trees

i walk a calm street,
but find myself facing
a rabid Tengu

born in struggle;
the chick pops from its shell
and must fight to its feet