He is not like other men.
He prefers me unperfumed,
likes to watch me
 
remove hair flowers,
undo the rasana
around my waist.
 
In the morning I am porcupine,
at night, Dhole,
four-horned antelope.
 
He tells me secrets
of the Nilgai, its fondness
for almonds,
 
how the Chinkara leaps
the palace walls
and back again.