A Prayer to Board The 17.40
An anaphora poem
I wrote this poem last year while struggling to board the 17.40 train on time. Now, I board it pretty early.
Pray that the previous train hasn’t yet left the station.
Pray that there’s a stubborn bull on the track.
Pray that the person who gives the green signal has just received exciting news.
Pray that the hands of the watch slow down just for you.
Pray that an unruly kid throws a ball and breaks the digital clock in the driver’s cabin.
Pray as if the guardian angels are truly breathing down your neck.
Pray that you’d break eight coconuts for your favourite God as a reward.
Pray that there’s crow shit on some of the seats and the cleaning isn’t done yet.
Pray that a witch has cast a spell and the train simply won’t move at 5.40.
Pray that there’s a thunderstorm and the surroundings are hazy.
Pray that the gongs of your racing heart reach a kind psychic inside the train.
Pray, pray, pray…
And then you board the train exactly at 5.40 PM.
Panting, panting, panting…
Here comes the announcer’s voice, “The train to Thiruvallur will start at 17.50.”
So much for all that praying.
~Kavya Janani. U
This poem was first published in Modern Literature magazine on October 19th, 2024.
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You can read my other form poetry here: Form Poetry by Kavya Janani. U