Pradeshi Police

[Radetof.Yahska]

Two years on, made a few edits.

Edit #2

Drooling in anger, the daroga
railed at the autowallah.
Mammoth blows
his lathi wailing
seen much practice
landing on the poor man's back.
“How dare you talk back?
You motherfucker!”

I watched on, impotent
followed them to the police station
picking up pace with each step.

My courage sublimed
when the daroga
that slurring shitheel threatened me
“Fuck you, you fancy dandy!
Getting off to get fucking food packed.
Piece of shit.”

So I could barely open my mouth
while trying to complain about his behavior
and could not bring myself say his name.
I couldn't take a beating.
The inspector at the counter told me to fuck off.

Questioned by the station officer
the daroga claimed the auto was stolen.
"No! It's a friend's auto, sir, let me just call him."
said the autowallah
slow meaty blows landing on his face
"He has all the papers-"
"I'll strip the hide off your back!"

I stepped out to compose myself
purge the savage drunken sneer
from my soul, only to see
a few policemen surrounding a man
crying, laughing, demanding to be let off
"Harmless drunk fucker."
A few punches later, his voice died down
and my anger soured.

Inside, the autowallah was crying in a corner;
the auto had been impounded
"You leave, brother
my friends are on their way.
I'll be alright."
I wished a good night to the daroga and his brats
and gave him the finger when he turned away.
I couldn't sleep that night.

A few days later, I met the autowallah;
he looked like shit but seemed triumphant.
I asked him about how he got out.
“The fucker knew who my friends were
and still hit me.
You don't mess with a member of the auto union. Took him to court yesterday,
the judge made him apologize. Got to slap him around for a bit after.”

I don't know why he laughed.