There are some people
who said let us build
a megapolis perhaps on something or love
the sun a guarantee, the moon the same
sometimes the world moan and groan "glass" or " glee".
a blue chevy impala basks in a suburban driveway
like a beached whale it oozes gases and black oils
its seeping white walls beg for rubber movements
little boy inside the house sits on a pleated couch
he watches the setting sun through a screen door
fat mother stirs pudding in a wall-papered kitchen
smoking father works a tv guide crossword puzzle
he flicks white hot dust into a crystal glass ashtray
the corner television set transmits black and white
cathode rays of a half-naked wrestler pinned down
the destroyer with mask on lifts his victorious arms
little boy hears calliope music in the green distance
the ice cream man comes with dry ice and cologne
still three blocks away he makes another long stop
fat mother fries bloody meats in a fiery blue skillet
she turns on boss radio to hear elvis sing the blues
little boy goes to the admiral and turns the channel
bishop sheen appears in black cursing the darkness
skipper frank implores the kids to brush after meals
tennessee tuxedo chases tiger tornado to megapolis
smoking father finishes a tv guide crossword puzzle
the ice cream man arrives with dry ice and cologne
My cousin, Metropolis is jealous of me,
Megalopolis said, at the company tea.
I have more people,
But she has more sprawl.
I think we’ll fix this today.
I have put in a call.
They settled it fast.
They settled it quickly.
Metropolis and Megapolis,
Cousins, comrades, friends,
Settled it smartly and slickly.
And Megalopolis learned there is a lot more hurt
When you bring up in public your family’s dirt.
India
by Nandlal K. Pancholi
AIDS and raids and RDX dunes
Bell-hop cops poor politic's peons
Daud philoo Memons macabre dons
Maul megapolis all perilous pawns
Harshad hotshot handsome hero
Bofors pay off probe by Nero
Riot-hit state of riot-hit cities
Parrallel perennial animosities
Political parties pelt at each other stones
common man woe-ridden groans and moans
Over disputes hot House adjourns
Path to progress strewn with thorns
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