Open for Business by Ranjit Hoskote
Newspaper bunched in hand,
you’re misting the door with Lysol,
wiping the glass panels in wide arcs.
But the man in the blue paisley bandana
who’s whistling the opening bars
of ‘Hanv saiba poltoddi voita’
isn’t planning to get scrubbed off the menu.
He’s pushing through with a crate of eggs,
his hands itching for whisk and skillet,
the first Spanish omelette of the day.
He’s a dancer sweet-talking the boatman
into getting her across the river.
You’re a tightrope-walker with a limp, nursing
a sore throat. You spray the swinging air with soap. Art by Larry Rivers
Recommended listening: Lunar Rhapsody - Dr. Samuel Hoffman
Links of the Day: Make your own Escher Metamorphosis Machine
The world's rarest colours Original Set of 176 Emojis Designed by Shigetaka Kurita
As part of my collaboration with the poet and Penguin Random House, 5 subscribers who send their thoughts/a poem in response to the poem will receive a copy of Ranjit Hoskote's Jonahwhale. Hit 'Reply' and start typing :)