Aggressive mimicry

cunning is the Orchid mantis

in the blossom of her slaughter.

see      the raspberry-ripple of her ice-cream petals

see      the elegant angularities of her supermodel pose

dekko. 

                      still 

she possesses 

paachta eyes

one for each syllable of

appropriation.

Her cyclopean ear gummed with Mashi’s jhumkas.

Her raptorial legs hula’d by Dida’s rings.

Her glistening thorax, Desh’s Koh-i-Noor. 

chalak is the Orchid mantis

in the hush of her strike.

bejewelled plunderer; sitting-pretty bodysnatcher

feasting on a marginalised Self.  

Bengali word translations

dekko (see), paachta (five), Mashi (aunt), Dida (grandma), Desh (County/home), chalak (cunning).