__________________________________
By
On the other side of the street
Color of jalebis, luminescent
Crisp ‘*parippuvada’ shatter
The mid day silence.
Afternoon naps wakeup
Men munch warm ‘*pazhampori’,
Sip hot tea, loudly debate politics.
A mom on her scooter
Buys her kid tangy fruit juice
A tiring school day gulped down.
Red lips peep as the black cloth lifts
Yellow ‘laddu’ approaches
In the nailpolished fingers.
Wide smile blooms above
The man’s speckled beard.
Dusk rings in, music switched on
Hindi songs, fast, movie songs
Labourers sing and dance
Fill the stomach or half
After day long hard work.
An old woman slowly walks in,
Hunchback, dull outfit
Moves to the counter
She is given a seat, a snack
And a glass of water.
No Google Pay notification heard.
The frail figure disappears
Into the darkness outside.
Earth feels the gentle warmth
Love has made it a better place
For a while!
* popular snacks
Image internet
