That was summer too
with dancing bars
and lunch by the pool
the sizzling earth
and rainbow shakes

suburban summer, Bombay 1993
not yours, or mine, but ours
you were there too

distant sounds on the radio
news flash on the riots
dog barks and porch light
dimming mercury blue

you were there too
remember?

By- Shaleen Rakesh

Shaleen works as an activist on gay rights in New Delhi, India. When he is (also when he is not) traveling down fabulous Indian village roads, he takes pictures and writes poetry. The Bling Diary is a queer poetry column updated whenever its time to run down the street with sparklers.