on the way to the university which, as it'd turn out,
didn't have any vacancy for me, i see a man on a bike
wearing a shirt which says "YOU NEED ART / IN YOUR LIFE".
after learning that there is no vacancy for me
i go to the nearby marina beach.
the fengal cyclone has rescued all the garbage
that was thrown into the sea.
i videocall my friends, my camera turned away
from my face, towards the water.
they didn't realize that the endless lapping of the waves
and the friendless sapping of my face were the same.
after the call it begins to drizzle
and i take cover under a chaatwala's tent.
i begin to feel a vacancy open in my heart:
it's open to everyone, there is no fee to submit,
everyone will be accepted, a suitable guide
will be assigned, you'll get full scholarship,
house rent allowance, and book stipend,
after the degree you'll get a well paying job
that won't slowly kill you, the website of my heart
will never crash, it will never be any less vacant,
apply now.
~ ajay
17/12/2024
