The Chinese Doll

P. LAL

THE CHINESE DOLL

Black eyes, Bupsu,

like half almonds and a corner of cloud:

a drop of their sadness is sufficient.

You are a doll now, small-frocked.

You shall see sunshine

a shooting star

waters like silk and a laughing house of chocolate.

Hopscotch and hide-and-seek and a Chinese doll

petulant with Chitra

becoming Princess Zebunissa in the fairy tale of

Baghdad-

these are hidden in the black eyes.

The Snake-Charming Prince!

Your three years, Bupsu,

Hide them, hide them!