Yumnam Oken Singh

Hijra Clap

clap clap
just two claps
the unsexed figure
preying the Indian Railways passengers
demanding money
with a hoarse vile voice
that belongs to no man or woman

people pass ten-rupee notes
into the outstretched palms
in no time
the pattern moves on
clap clap
just two claps
to the next passengers

a beggar with a broom
sweeping the floor
bringing waste out of nowhere
getting a coin or two
from a passenger or two
notices the colourful notes
held out to the hijra

he looks at the hijra
with his longing eyes
longing for the notes
longing to be a hijra
but dares not unsex himself
for he loves his sex
or has no courage to do it

clap clap
just two claps
the unsexed figure moves on
hitching the saree that covered no sex
the blouse that covered no breast
chewing betel leaves
with a bloody mouth

Yumnam Oken Singh is serving as an Assistant Professor (English) in the College of Horticulture & Forestry, Central Agricultural University, India. An avid reader, he is interested in literature of all sorts and has translated a short story into English and published a few research works. For more details, visit his site: http://yumoken.wordpress.com/