Nalini Shetty
Holding Pattern
A woman on the phone walks slow circles in the hospital courtyard. Whatever she is being told, she keeps nodding, as though agreement might steady the news. Above her, a helicopter lifts off and vanishes, leaving only the hollow of its sound.
wind through the trees
after the rotor stops
on the bench
two gloves still holding
each other’s warmth
About the Author
Nalini Shetty is a stay-at-home mom who writes Japanese short forms. She is published regularly in haikuKATHA, Haiku Dialogue, and other well-known journals. Nalini is an active member at Triveni Haikai India, where she workshops and writes with masters and fellow writers.