Cynophobia & KravMaga

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And there I was, on time, for my KravMaga session

my mind throwing kicks & punches in anticipation

Parking the car just a few steps away from the gate

I seized my bag & stepped out, unaware of my fate

A pair of green eyes lunged towards me with a howl

I shrieked, struggling to add up as to what went foul

A skinny black creature was there blocking my way

As I leaped back into my car trying to wish her away

My panic spoke loudly to her as she sat down there

knowing very well I would not take her simple dare

I snooped on her in my rear-view mirror, shifty & sly

Listening to my heart pumping iron as time slid by

Slowly she came near the door trying to sniff me out

so I decided to play dead hoping it to be a knockout

Ignoring the cold sweat that had broken on my face

I pleaded to the almighty, to win this coup de grace

But the technique failed both in theory & in practice

she saw through my guard, in no mood for armistice

The ultrasonic dog repellent device didn’t work too

as if the whole universe was giving me a subtle cue

Cast down & glum, I turned on the ignition of my car

& withdrew, aware that the phobia has gone too far

90 degrees apart on arctic circle!

I tiptoed towards a giant fur bear with the most generous eyes and the softest white beard I had ever seen. I pinched myself, Santa is real. I mumbled a hello and garbled a few words before he asked us to sit beside him on either side. He asked us how did we find Finland and like a kid, I complained, it is too cold. 

Ho ho ho .. but it is just November. Wait till it gets to minus 45 degrees.

My eyes popped out, 'No way. I’d rather get roasted in 45 degrees in my country, India.'

It was time for his eyes to widen. We laughed as we conceded that our worlds were 90 degrees apart, apart from the thousands of miles that separated us.

The few minutes we spent in that wooden chalet filled with antiques felt like hours as no one hurried to call the next visitor. And then it was photo time!

He wrapped his arms warmly around our shoulders and we snuggled up to him like starry-eyed kids who have waited for years for this old man to hug them. I will never forget that embrace. In a moment, my heart was swashed with pure joy. There was nothing to worry about. In an instant, the world had become beautiful. It felt so special that I could not stop my eyes from getting moist.