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There were no vulture cries at
the electric crematorium
only cell phone beeps

vultures don’t come here
anymore
they migrated to bigger cities

too much multiplication
but not enough dead
our city ranks too low
on the misery index

they bury the dead or
burn them
not cosmopolitan enough

men eat all the dead pigs
or sell them
other animals die only in custody

there isn’t enough food for vultures here
they migrated to bigger cities
where bigger vultures
repeat success


© Jatin GandhiFebruary 1998

WAR

WAR

Wet desert sands
And the mirage
In the city
Four walled
Oceans
Of concrete and
Overheated flash bulbs
Under the warm sun.
Screens and curtains
And stars by the beach
Palms and the breeze
Men and Godmen
All delight as
The Opiate torchbearer
Falls in love
With fires


(C) Jatin Gandhi