Mad Woman of the public square--By Sunil Sharma--India

Mad Woman of the public square

Draped in cotton saree

the bent figure

doing what she did earlier

sweeping/mopping

own home, somewhere

expelled, maybe from there

now this lazy morning 

arms rotating

cleans the shop- fronts

and at the same time

talks to things companions

after finishing that portion of the plaza

moves on to another place, nearby

broom in hands

clearing it quickly of litter

she---

the old woman

babbling and working free

unnoticed, as always

by others.

Sunil Sharma is a writer based in Mumbai, India. A college principal, he has published four books of poetry, two books of shorts and a novel in English, apart from co-editing six literary anthologies.  He edits Episteme: http://www.episteme.net.in/