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Neena Singh, Chandigarh, India

The official journal of the Tanka Society of America—Ribbons, Winter 2023, issue 92 is out and I am grateful to have a tanka prose featured.

Grateful to Liz Lanigan, Tanka Editor for the acceptance and publication.

Of Human Bondage
Neena Singh, Chandigarh, India

This is a story of two dogs; the first, a stray black mongrel, who lives in our neighborhood and behaves like a monkey. He leaps our gate and perches on our car. He has made the neighbor’s house his own abode, as the owner of the house is away. Every night and early morning he is seen, perched precariously on their parapet, bold and fearless. I’ve christened him Perch!

The other is our pet Rumi—a 13-year-old yellow lab, more human than dog: trapped by our love, neither free nor fearless. She shows no interest in other dogs but adores babies and youngsters. The only people she barks at are mendicants*, beggars and the garbage collector. Content to be with us, she loves to play catch-ball for treats, avidly listens to music, and greatly enjoys rides in the car.

I often wonder, “Who is happier—Perch or Rumi?”

perched on the wall
a parrot pecks
birdseed
breakfast in the garden
we drink winter sunshine

Well, this tale has a twist.

On return from offshore travels, our neighbor adopted Perch. He no longer jumps walls; has a new name, a red collar, and a leash around his neck. I see him being taken for walks, trotting meekly alongside his master. The look he gives me is one of recognition. A small wag of the tail tells me that he remembers the milk and bread we fed him outside our gate.

this desire
to be a blade of grass
dancing in the rain
yet I stand tall and grim
dripping like the evergreen

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• Members of a religious order who forsake worldly possessions and rely on alms to survive.