Police

Dr. Kondal Rao Velchala

The constable stood at the cross-roads –

The most respectable in the eyes of the chauffers.

Striking strange in his Khaki clothes, “Kusumba Cap”.

Looking like the great “Natarishi”.

Performing “Bharathanatya’

with the most serene and sombre face.

One motion of his hand would be enough

For the entire road traffic to come to a standstill.

At times he has the capacity to regulate the whole flow

With a mere twirl of his eyebrow.

Like the Nataraja, engaged in an eternal dance

For the life to go on non stop, he too dances

Attuned to the accompaniments of the indic-lights

To the musical horns of cars, drum-beats of motorcycles.

What a delightful sight it is to see him wave his hands

This side and that

Verily like a performing dancer !

Whether in the scorching sun of the mid-day summer

Or the torrential downpour of the rainy season

He won’t budge an inch from the settled place

Though himself the unsettled.

Is he doing the most austere “Tapasya” (penance)

Of all the tapasyas one wonders.

Is he not the one,

Who can make every mobile, immobile thing Topsy turvy

This great dancer ! This way and that way swaying glancer -

The Constable, so called.

I salute him

Who looks like the very incarnation of power

Standing at the crossroads.

Am so enamoured.

Seeing him perform

The Bharata Natyam.