the case

"What's in the case?" they asked.
The case is big.
Almost as big as me.
But I'm not that tall.

My friends know what's in there.
"I think you could fit inside,"
they joked.
"We'll zip you up and check you in.
You're too heavy for carry on baggage."

On a train, 2nd class and unreserved.
I stood
holding the case close to me.
We jerked together, the case and I.
And I'd hold on tighter with one hand
The other stretched out, grasping desperately,
clutching on to anything it found.

"What's in the case?" they asked.
Women in bright green and purple saris
huddled together
With children on their laps
and some above them
on a rack where their luggage should have been.

I had to explain then.
What was in the case.
Now it's different.
They've all seen Kaminey.
"Is it a guitar or a gun?"
they ask.