right arm raised towards the heavens
thumb and forefinger stretched perpendicular
little me could hardly understand how
the mudra my clumsy hands had shaped
fingertips resting on the car’s window
taking in trees and sky, as they flew by
my eyes grew round to match your size
wondering how you, a circle stuck to the sky
were still chasing after me
my mother’s eyes admiring your light
sifting through the muslin sieve
with my gaze trained towards her—
deprived of water for the entire day
she still offered it to you first
i dance, comparing your cool glow
to that of goddess saraswati
i move, listening to your footsteps
i stand, watching fasting wives pause
a figure of hope in boundless space.