PRIYANGUSENA SPEAKS OF THE KEEPER OF THE KING’S ZOO

PRIYANGUSENA SPEAKS OF THE KEEPER OF THE KING’S ZOO

PRIYANGUSENA SPEAKS OF THE KEEPER OF THE KING’S ZOO

He is not like other men.
He prefers me unperfumed,
likes to watch me
 
remove hair flowers,
undo the rasana
around my waist.
 
In the morning I am porcupine,
at night, Dhole,
four-horned antelope.
 
He tells me secrets
of the Nilgai, its fondness
for almonds,
 
how the Chinkara leaps
the palace walls
and back again.