Pigeons Pigeons on the ledge

Of an afternoon dream

Sit strangely silent,

The hot dust rises,

Falls on sun-peeled beaks;

On a city of fevered Lanes.

The sun swells; then

Swollen like a fruit It runs harsh silver threads

Lengthwise, my afternoon

Dream.

The poem “Pigeons” by Kamala Das is a concise yet evocative piece that captures a moment in time, depicting pigeons on a ledge within the backdrop of an afternoon scene.

The speaker observes pigeons perched on a ledge, creating a still and somewhat mysterious atmosphere in the setting of an afternoon dream. The pigeons, usually known for their cooing, are described as unusually silent, adding an element of quietude to the scene.

As the afternoon unfolds, the environment becomes more vividly portrayed. The hot dust rises, and it falls on the beaks of the pigeons that are exposed to the sun. This imagery suggests a certain harshness and discomfort in the surroundings, as the sun’s rays intensify the heat.

The poem then shifts its focus to the broader setting—a city with fevered lanes. This description adds a layer of urban intensity and restlessness to the scene. The choice of the word “fevered” implies a heightened and agitated state within the city.

The sun’s progression is vividly depicted as it swells, becoming swollen like a fruit. This visual metaphor suggests the increasing intensity of the sun, reaching its peak. The sun then runs harsh silver threads lengthwise, perhaps symbolizing its rays cutting through the atmosphere.

The concluding lines bring attention back to the speaker’s afternoon dream, now characterized by the sun’s harsh silver threads. This description encapsulates the transformed and intensified quality of the dream as the afternoon unfolds.

“Pigeons” is a brief yet evocative poem that captures a moment of stillness and intensity in an afternoon. Through vivid imagery and concise language, Kamala Das creates a sensory snapshot, inviting readers to contemplate the nuanced beauty and harshness of the observed scene.