Ten Senryus

Here are ten Senryus – three-line unrhymed Japanese ironic or satirical poetic form – about human nature, by Daipayan – exclusively for Different Truths.

1.
 
singing Tagore
on the ghat stairs
two paper cones
 
 
2.
 
crushing papadis
in a steel container
his bengali slang
 
 
3.
 
sunset lane
the final touches
of an idol maker
 
 
4.
 
as far as
the sunrise can reach …
a subway beggar
 
 
5.
 
matchsticks
bundled in a rusty can
tea stall gossip
 
 
 
 
6.
 
round figure
the cashier adds
a chocolate bar
 
 
7.
 
slum school
a truck speeds over
the flyover slab
 
 
8.
 
every halt
is a destination
metro rail
 
 
9.
 
brisk morning walk
the old man's hand around
his wife's shoulder
 
 
10.
 
falling leaves …
the sweeper stretches
her spine

Picture design by Anumita Roy