This post first appeared on Totally Filmi on December 26, 2011.
(With apologies to Wallace Stevens)
I
Among winding Thai rivers
The only moving thing
Was Don.
II
I was of three minds,
Like a heist
In which there are three villains.
III
Don whirled on the dance floor with Roma.
It was a small part of the pantomime.
IV
Don and Roma
Are one.
Don and the special appearance as Don
Are one.
V
I do not know which to prefer,
The beauty of the car chases
Or the beauty of the heist,
Don quipping
Or just after.
VI
Explosions fill the air
With shattered glass.
The shadow of Don
Crossing, to and fro.
The mood
Traced in the shadows
An unexpected twist.
VII
O, Vardhaan and Jabbar,
Why do you imagine silver printing plates?
Do you not see how Don
Steals them out
From under you?
VIII
I know Don’s dialogues
Their lucid, inescapable rhythms;
It’s not difficult to catch Don
It’s impossible.
Boom.
IX
When Ayesha flew out of sight,
It marked the edge
Of one of many plot circles.
X
At the sight of Roma
On the ground after being shot,
Even Don would cry out sharply:
Meri junglee billi.
XI
Sameer has breakfast
With his wife.
Once, a fear pierced me,
In that I thought that package
Contained the shadow of the revenge
Of Don.
XII
The road is winding.
Don must be escaping.
XIII
It was morning all afternoon.
The sun was shining
And it was going to shine
As Don waited
For the sequel.