.

In a Twenty-minute Tuk-tuk Ride

That day, the river of our luck had dried.
No taxis. Air-conditioned buses crammed
with half the town. Just when I said, “We’re dammed,”
a tuk-tuk by the roundabout defied
my words. Its backseat, partly occupied
by an old couple, still contained enough
capacity for both of us. That huff-
ish, callous sun had no will to subside.
We sat. Sweat-bathed, my body talc had died,
but Suf’s attar continued to show
resilience. Her face’s warm beige glow
seemed summer-proof. The lipgloss, well applied,
enhanced her mien as bright as daylight’s glare.
I watched her tender hands detach with care
the black barrette to let the fast wind glide
right through her auburn hair and swell its pride.
The fitful hesitation to entwine
our palms was often eased by the design
of traffic bumps. The old man, at times, eyed
our young, nonverbal love, emblazed a smile,
looked at his wife, and maybe, for a while,
recalled his youth now washed by age’s tide.

.

.

Shamik Banerjee is a poet from Assam, India, where he resides with his parents. His poems have been published by Sparks of Calliope, The Hypertexts, Snakeskin, Ink Sweat & Tears, Autumn Sky Daily, Ekstasis, among others. He received second place in the Southern Shakespeare Company Sonnet Contest, 2024.

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19 Responses

  1. Richard Lackman

    I just finished a trip to Cambodia where we too were blessed with a tuck tuck ride so I absolutely appreciate your vivid depiction. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Shamik Banerjee

      I’m so glad to know you experienced the tuk-tuk ride, Richard. Thank you so much for reading my poem.

      PS: I’ve always wanted to visit Cambodia. God willing, one day I will.

      Reply
  2. Roy Eugene Peterson

    Shamik, this is a precious poem with what seems to be personal observations replete with wonderful thoughts of one who cares about others while reflecting on the age differential and feeling the glow of a paramour.

    Reply
    • Shamik Banerjee

      Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and your keen observation, Mr. Peterson. Indeed, the beginning of love between two young hearts is one of the many sweetest feelings.

      Reply
  3. Joseph S. Salemi

    This is a perfect vignette of city life — the hustle of traffic, the urban heat, the need for transport, the closeness in the vehicle, the suggestion of beauty and love, and then the almost offhand contrast of youth and age. All fit together to make a compact little narrative. Poetry can sometimes take the simplest passing events of daily life, no matter how prosaic and humdrum, and transmute them into the gold of a linguistic artifact.

    And — thank God! — no tedious message or moral.

    Reply
    • Shamik Banerjee

      Such a precious comment, Mr. Salemi. Reading it gave me immense satisfaction realising that this piece spoke to you and everyone else the way I intended it to. You have rightly captured every sub-topic of this poem apart from the broader picture. Many, many thanks!

      Reply
  4. Margaret Coats

    Charming twenty-two-line tale, Shamik. The subject of response to heat disappears less than halfway through, when you turn to Suf’s “summer-proof glow” and introduce the love theme. The rhyme scheme is precise in a natural, almost casual way, starting off with envelope quatrains (abba), switching to rhymed couplets in accord with meaning, then returning to an envelope quatrain to conclude. The overall feeling is one of pleasant warmth!

    Reply
    • Shamik Banerjee

      Dear Margaret,

      My original plan was to stick with the idea of conveying the unbearable mugginess of a bustling Indian town during summer and somehow undertone the subject of love. But I later realised that balancing both subjects would enhance the overall presentation of the poem. 

      The structure concerning the envelope quatrains was something that sprung to mind, and I really wanted to execute it. I’m glad you found the execution casual and in accord with the meaning.

      Thank you so much for your motivating comment!

      Reply
  5. Paul A. Freeman

    I enjoyed the little observations and exotic touches (which aren’t exactly exotic to you) of this tuk-tuk journey.

    The highest praise I can give, is that I felt I was there.

    Reply
    • Shamik Banerjee

      This indeed is a very cherishable appreciation of my poem, Mr. Freeman. Thank you so much for reading and commenting.

      Reply
  6. Paul Erlandson

    I like this poem VERY MUCH, Shamik!!

    We have a giant car cruise through our town every August, and most years, we see at least one Tuk-tuk! Very rare in the USA. When we saw the first one, it was my son who pointed it out and knew what it was called.

    Thanks again for the poem!

    Reply
    • Shamik Banerjee

      I wonder how one-of-a-kind an experience it is to witness such an event. And I’m also happy to know that tuk-tuks are gradually becoming known across the globe. Thank you so much for reading my poem and your uplifting comment, Paul. 

      Reply
  7. jd

    Love this beautiful picture you have painted especially for showing the good side of what many might consider an unpleasant experience. The “river of our luck” drew me right in and I was glad I stayed.

    Reply
    • Shamik Banerjee

      Dear JD,
      I am very glad to know that the opening line drew you in. Nothing can be as rewarding to a poet as this knowledge. Thank you very much!

      Reply
    • Shamik Banerjee

      Thank you so much for reading this little tale, Cynthia. “Summer-proof” is my personal favourite too!

      Reply
  9. Carey Jobe

    Well done, Shamik. A truly charming slice of life. I get the impression your life constantly brings you poems. Thanks for this good catch!

    Reply
  10. Gigi Ryan

    Dear Shamik,
    The way you put your words together in poetry gives me vivid pictures to go along with your stories. But my other senses are awakened as well. I can feel and smell the heat of the day in your poem. Even the luck description shows how parched the day is.
    In spite of the uncomfortableness of the heat, the shy delight of the couple is apparent.
    Thank you for this lovely story set to beautiful verse.
    Gigi

    Reply

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