Babies

[SivaRamanathan]

Last night I spread the silken scarf
and sang his salagram to sleep.
This morning when I opened the bedcover
I found a salagram baby--
there was autumn in my mind
my thoughts were running riot
I was uncharitable
I thought, 'come on god,
no more pranks: I stared
and brought my eyes closer
and focused my mind
somebody had placed
on his silver divan an offering
of a purple grape.