These cats…
They are apart from their regular clan.
No lorries come to pick them –
To their death of trembling shadows.
Are they a glimpse of their karma?

These cats!
They are regularly fed,
Like pious guests.
They are not living at the corner
Of a derelict alley…

These cats!
They are one of the ones,
Sweet angels watch over them –
With arranged food platters
At daily sunrise.

These cats!
Live like parlour pets.
I see them in such assembly,
As if they are my old acquaintances.
They are my old acquaintances!

For Vrinda
Mumbai
12^th June 2013