By a remnant of the Siri Fort in Shahpur Jat

In the shadow of a wall built on the heads
of eight thousand men, women have been drying

laundry for centuries. Synthetic underwear
dangling off pink and green ropes nailed

to rampart of 13th century fort. Sequins
in the sunlight, gossiping. The absence

of sweaters and socks. Proud bedsheets
displaying their stains. And to think

I looked to years for perspective.