For still waters run deep

The night was blinding with dancing neon lights.

Brands, offers and sales competed for ad space.

Shops stacked like dominoes screamed for actual space.

Throng of shoppers and vendors jostled each other.

The night was deafening – speakers and relentless horns,

burying the rant and rave of discontent drivers

negotiating a turn, scratch or right- of- way.

Air conditioner and FM radio struggled to soothe

the harried mind of the driver and company,

burdened with frivolous concerns and some overwhelming thoughts.

Veering off pedestrians, cars raced gaining an inch.

A maze of opportunities opened for the two-wheeler.

Could a camel pass through a needle’ eye?

In that perfect pandemonium, I tried to pacify

the multitude of thoughts, worries in my mind.

My restless glance, perfectly resonating with the ambience,

constantly darting between mundane traffic to interesting passersby.

Hadn’t noticed him hitherto - sling bag hung across,

balancing on the foot wide makeshift brick path,

in the midst of scrambling thoughts and traffic woes.

His attention was focused on his compact camera

Trying to capture a frame of the night-

 A footbridge, ongoing traffic, neon lights set against

the backdrop of stars, moon in night sky.

On a dogged pursuit, reviewing each shot unperturbed,

to capture to perfection that endless night’s beauty,

whilst in the madness of that crazy night.

For he alone, in the multitudes, saw it.

Beauty - discerned only by a mind at peace,

that could be unruffled by the chaos around.

I begrudged him for still waters run deep.