Calcutta, my city of delight
Beautiful day’s vivid memories, washed clean avenues
Alley gullies; well kept parks, sunbathed trees
Skating ring midst the lush grass greens.
Red Double Decker’s branded petrol pumps
Dotted with shops, along the tramlines;

Better civic sense of the past?

Gossips and rumours pity the wolf cries.
College street berserk, refugee dehydrates.
Thanks, “City of Joy” D’ L.,
Encase “Poverty sell” hard cash.
In lieu of prestige, forex, colourful price.
Inflated woes, bursting industrial slums.

Both old capitals abandoned.

Indian Calcutta, Canadian Kingston
Better off latter; wonder how come?
Met a student, rickshaw pulley in Kingston
At his summer job; earning handsome
Comparing Calcutta’;s, meager income,
His is family sustenance, entire lifelong.