The Assassin and the Dahlia -5-

To Suchitra

I re-enter the Hall
after the short
smoke break.
The whole household is sleeping under
the spell of May-noontide -
the pond with descending stairs,
the open balcony, the caged parrot,
everything asleep.
Looking at the anxious spectators
jamming the Hall, my eyelashes begin
shivering like those of a Siren.
This is the setting.
Will I be able to play my part?
Morse-code from behind the drop-scene.
I enter the door.
The whole house is asleep -
the sofa, the showcase, the caged books
and the wisdom caged within them.
My role is to cross over
to the haughty woman
sleeping on her back with her knees folded.
There lies a shining kitchen-knife
by the side of a decorated bowl
and she is the mistress of a
feudal woman-eater.
Under the midday sun
I clearly see the woman
sit up in the boudoir
and look at the calm pond out the window,
my lady-love.
There is lighting in her
Open tresses.
Go ahead, pick up that shining knife.
I, myself, and the spectators
packed into the Hall
know there will be a murder,
there will be bloodshed. I will go straight to her,
we will be simultaneously electrified ??? (electrocuted???)
as I touch her hair.
And it will begin raining.
But ultimately nothing happens.
The drop-scene drops as
I shout, "I LOVE YOU."