The copper pod is flowering in Bangalore and on empty roads and bylanes, showers of these small yellow blossoms fill the spaces usually occupied by people and their things.

Photo by Anjum Hasan.
Photo by Anjum Hasan.
Photo by Anjum Hasan.

Stray dogs converge in groups, looking like they’re conferring about the future. One comes up, hungry, and licks my hand.

Photo by Anjum Hasan.
Photo by Anjum Hasan.
Photo by Anjum Hasan.

A cow nuzzles the rotting cauliflowers dumped at the base of an almond tree; a thin white cat stalks boundary walls between houses.

Photo by Anjum Hasan.
Photo by Anjum Hasan.
Photo by Anjum Hasan.

The koel sounds sharper, more inquiring, than usual. A grey-haired woman with a mask sits cross-legged on the pavement, trying to beg.

Photo by Anjum Hasan.
Photo by Anjum Hasan.
Photo by Anjum Hasan.

A rickshaw goes by with two horn loudspeakers on its roof and a cop inside with a mike, scolding anyone who lingers.

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Every sunset the silence is golden.

Photo by Anjum Hasan.
Photo by Anjum Hasan.

Read the other articles in The Art of Solitude series here.