Kangaroo!

One morning

kangaroos exploded from the bush.

Locking her gaze in mine

one veered, mid-leap.

The storm of her passage bruised my skin.

I smelt her wildness.

Then I was alone with my tearburst—

just like that.

I jolted into tormented wonder

at the transience

of a gaze that unlocked

my soul’s ancient lament.

-Padma Menon