The Auto Rickshaw and Me - August 25, 2013

The little auto rickshaw,

That I use most every day

Instills in me great fear,

I won’t live another day.

On Mumbai’s crowded streets,

Where twenty million thrive,

They whiz in and out of traffic,

Like a creature that’s alive.

Black and yellow vehicles,

That hold just two or three,

Will never be the ride of choice,

For a coward such as me.

Their little putt putt engine,

Strains with all its might,

To see them out in numbers,

Is really quite a sight.

They are mostly open air,

Which can truly be a pain,

At certain times of year,

When there is monsoon rain.

They really are quite daring,

Darting all about,

Stopping inches from the car ahead,

While I suppress a shout.

They don’t possess a seat belt,

So you have to hold on tight,

My fingers have indentions,

Where I’ve gripped with all my might.

The local folks seem quite at ease,

More relaxed, than me, by far.

I feel like I’m at a carnival,

Riding in a dodge ‘em car!

The drivers are kamikazes,

Who won’t admit defeat,

As they steer their little vehicles,

Usually driving in bare feet!

I think they get great pleasure,

Seeing panic in my eyes,

But I am slowly overcoming it,

Much to my surpise.

Carmen Henesy

Copyright © August 25, 2013 by Carmen Henesy. All Rights Reserved.