MUTTIAH

What was bigger, do you think,

the Kookaburra or his eyes?

What mesmerized more,

the glint,

unwavering focus

the afterwards-smile?

He was made of grin-and-bear,

this boy who came from a mountain

this man who caught insult

and tossed it back

to bounce and spin

and disarrange wickets.

He was slighted

but was not slighting;

the Smiling Assassin

never killed;

he just wrote some poetry

with finger, wrist, mind, eye and heart.

And we,

the beneficiaries

of the mis-hit that went for SIX,

the miss that took his off-stump

or slid by keeper for four,

the brilliant run-out

and breath-taking catch,

and of course the wickets,

the wickets

that fell and fell and fell

like the records that will take time beating,

yes, we

can salute.

You made us taller, Murali.

Thanks.   

[from the collection 'Stray kites on string-less days]

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