King of His Kingdom

... Travel moments ...

Not the cleanest on Indian cities
Even with its claim to the Taj Mahal ...
the very same thought occupied me on my previous visit
... long ago
Agra; on the river Yamuna, Uttar Pradesh, Northern India

The mornings dense fog mixes
together with the usual polluted haze
acrid aromas envelop every breath
cows uphold their might of the roads

On this day I traverse the Old City
I venture into a streetside eatery
Usually reserved only for locals
I order what was to be the most sumptuous
vegetarian meal from the North

I am struck
by a boy
possessing a smile holding the intensity of the sun
Bilal
Ten years old -
Very little English
His smile ... his presence
lift me far from this back street in the Old City of Agra

Just as he is captivated with my milky white skin
I too have been captivated by his strength of being

I ask his name
I ask his age
I ask if he attends school

The owner of this quasi like eatery overhears

'He does not go to school'. In perfect English
'He has no parents, no family.' Quite matter of fact.

Bilal watches the exchange
I wonder if he notices my sudden shift in emotion

'Where does he live?' I ask
'Here, he sleeps on the floor.'

Bilal continues to steal glances as I eat.
I observe his potent ubiety
For - in the nothing he has
He possesses
A rare and authentic bravura for life
King of his own Kingdom

This makeshift eatery
On a busy backstreet
In the Old City
Of Agra in Uttar Pradesh
Will forever more be to me
The city of Bilal
Who is the only King
I care to meet
in this life that offers everyone their own Kingdom
Yet granted only to a special few

Reviews

[Ashwin Shanker]

cleanest 'on' Indian - shouldn't it be 'of' ?

I feel a bit ashamed when you're having to write 'The Taj Mahal' and 'not clean' on the same stanza. Though you are are right actually, There are piles and piles of dirt just within the vicinity of that Wonder, and it's a social malaise which we are trying hard to tackle.
I like it that you mentioned education of Bilal... Yes... Providing Education for the millions of deserving children is the second biggest problem that we are facing as a country. First being Overpopulation. And the final stanza of Bilal having his kingdom felt really uplifting and a more positive way to look at his situation.
NIce poem.

[KWP]

HEY Thanks for your thoughts. I was in Agra twenty years ago and then again a few years ago, like Varanasi it’s not clean, but getting cleaner. When I was in mumbai I noticed just how much it had been cleaned up - so that’s positive.

When I first arrived in India way back when my Unlce who is Indian called me and said ‘Lizzie, you will either love India or you will hate India 🇮🇳- just accept Inida’ And I do - I love it very much X

[Ashwin Shanker]

I stay in Mumbai, so feel free to visit again and I could take around the best sights and sounds. read moreI stay in Mumbai, so feel free to visit again and I could take around the best sights and sounds.
I am sure you must be aware of how hospitable we are to foreign guests. 'Adithi Devo Bhava' - Is a quote which means, "Guests are akin to God"

[KWP]

Ooh I love that saying - I usually stay in Colaba when I am there in a family apartment where our Aunt and Uncle resided for many many years - now Kumla, the maid lives there and looks after a PG. Kumla speaks not a word of english but has been in the family 40 years or so - she loves it when we come visit - all she wants to do is look after us. Love her. Also have a cousin in Juhu.

I love that saying about guests - beautiful - I am sure to be back there in a year or two - off to South America very soon X

[ANTO]

Im so glad you told me about this one Kwp - its really really magical. It sounds as if you were both transcended by the experience, as if you met on another plane. This is so Kiplingesque - its beautiful my dear friend. Just beautiful ...
x

I love the underplay tag line 'Travel moments' btw.

[KWP]

ahhh Phew !!! I am glad you like it - I jut re-read some of the other comments saying how it can be improved and I thought oh well now Anto will read it ... hahaha ... thanks for reading ... it was a special moment with a special kid .. I will never forget the bright shine he exuded XX

[ANTO]

The original light of just being. You were both lucky to have encountered each other. :))

[stansg]

Hello KWP,
Its fantastic what you have written, I am from India and i could really connect with the backdrop of the poem. The little street side eatery, kids who ask for alms on the streets, i could connect with all of it. And i should say that i too have come across many such- "kings of their kingdoms." Its amazing how happy they are despite the poverty, the hunger. We can learn so many things from them.
Thank you for sharing this amazing work, you really captured the essence of an old Indian city in such few words.
Loved it.

[KWP]

Heyyy thank you - I am so glad you felt you could relate - especially being Indian.

I met Bilal when I was there just now - he really did capture my heart in more ways than one :-)

Xx

[cycy]

well written hun i am assuming you visited India prior to these great poems of urs

[Skai Rain]

A great poem. The only criticism I have is that I didn't find it flowed very well as I read, but keep in mine this work is still wonderful so keep up the great work!

[KWP]

Thanks for your thoughts Brit - I will have another read over X

[Frank]

Very honest poem, I think it can be improved with some work. It is one you can put in a drawer and come back to in a year and continue to work on. Some parts are telly or telling, sometimes you overly describe with modifiers like cream white skin, my skin or my paleness would convey your meaning. Still, it is your poem not mine.

Suggestion:
The owner of this quasi like eatery overhears
'He does not go to school'. In perfect English
'He has no parents, no family.' Quite matter of fact.
Bilal watches the exchange
I wonder if he notices my sudden shift in emotion

The owner overhears:
No school
No parents
No family

Bilal listens to our exchange
Does he read empathy in my pale face?

Your poem , your choice.. I am just works-hopping here.

[KWP]

Hey Frank and lovely to meet you - thank you so much for reviewing - I agree totally this poem does need work and yes it is one to refer back to - I am right at this moment traveling through India and I wanted to get thoughts on paper and will go back for a rethink when I get home :-)

Much appreciated and will definitely give consideration to your thoughts xx

[Frank]

This could be a great poems, have done the same as you, travelled and been enthralled, and the horrors remain fixed in my brain, so beautiful a people so much horror.

[J Schwenk]

This is so good. Visiting Agra is on my bucket list, I felt like I was walking through the old streets in India. I can't wait to travel again! You have a gift for writing!

[Einstein Noodle]

potent .. filled with teaching for all .. my life tho far from opulent .. is a far cry from this King ..he humbles me to no end!! ... you describe him so well .. God bless your travels ;))
E.

[A Ghost of Myself]

A honest, and emotional piece, KWP. It really does open eyes to new thinking, here a young boy a true 'king of his own kingdom,' content and happy with life. If only we all as a 'society' could see the true blessings of life.

[KWP]

Yes - thanks for reading Jack - for within the simplicity - we can take away unnecessary confusion xxx

[R Smith]

instant library for this one Boss Lady, i rarely have felt such emotional pull towards a subject of poetry, Bilal i will never meet but this rendition of his life will stay with me forever, the child who lives on the floor of the eatery in Agra, yet he possess possibly the glow of the sun in his face, it makes me feel that behind the seemingly sad facade of his life this child may be closer to God and oneness than most of the people in this world will ever become if they live to be a thousand, needless to say Elizabeth this poem touched me deeply, thank you :)

[KWP]

Spot on Richard and so happy you liked this one - Bilal has been on my mind - I wanted to write him to keep him with me forever xx