Bharat-Ram; shoe cobbler
Roadside Shrine
a poem by Arvind Krishna Mehrotra
(collected poems 1969 – 2014)
Before the padlocked
Businesses open for the day,
He sets up his shrine
To footwear: awl, rasp,
Hammer, tin of nails,
Nippers, cobbler’s wax,
Thread, scissors , scraps
Of leather, bottle of
Glue. In the centre,
A cast iron anvil, a headless
God with two glib tongues,
The longer one sticking out,
Waiting for the day’s first
Worshipper to bring
An offering of torn upper,
Worn heel, or flapping sole.
tranquildarts 
I am enjoying this style of storytelling immensely. Small snippets, add to the anticipation.
Thanks Anil. It will keep me going on this track. Arvind’s poem coming my way at the right time was providential.
Yes, the poem too. Much enjoyed especially in combination with the picture.
Awesome…eyes…tough as his life but so full of dignity…searching for yours…
It is an Excellent portrait…sober and simple as the poem…breathing so great respect for other man…
Thanks Teresa. As you rightly observed Bharat Ram’s eyes looked stolid. There is grace in earning one’s life in spite of inequities all around.In awe I look at his frail frame setting up his “Roadside shrine” each day for last three decades. Admirable is the poet Arvind Krishna Mehrotra for having seen this shrine on the roadside. And how could I not mention Arvind’s poems gifted to us by hugely talented Ambarin Afsar on our anniversary.