Rajiv Khandelwal’s most recent poem to appear here was “My Wife” (February 2020).

Puja
By Rajiv Khandelwal

Business had been going
Through a rough patch
So, we decided to do a puja
In prescribed ritualistic manner
Replete with religious discourses
Which if heard focused intent
With one’s whole being
Is believed to provide
Overall prosperity and happiness
Ensure health and longevity
Bring good luck and success
And cleanse all sins

But as happened with sage Vishwamitra
When Menaka came to seduce him
And nullify the sage’s penance
Happened to me

No.
It was not your thoughts
That led my mind astray

But the back-side itch
That created a minor trouble
Then graduated to a stinging itch
Moving around the back
Irritating and annoying
Just like the bothersome Kashmiri youth stone pelters
Now here
Now there

And as luck would have it
Broken attention
Probably broke the dream
Of attaining desired results