CALCUTTA 1944
You are seeing the
Sun for the first time
Today, the night has
Packed its bags and gone
Away. You are now
Feeling the heat from
The open window,
The sounds from the street
Below welcome you
And bid you come and
Buy, step out, open
Up your purse, make the
Sellers happy, put
Food on their tables.
Nina has gone off
To buy bread or so
You think she said through
The fog of your sleep.
You just remember
Her back going, the
Sway of her hips, that
Wave of the thin hand.
Daughters are there to
Be wed, Father said,
Dismissing Parni
With the shake of his
Hand when she tries to
Embrace or kiss him.
You want to get up
And look out from the
Window, see the street
Sellers with their wares,
The callers, the sharp
Laughter from corners.
Nartan will see you
In bed, he will be
Angry, the husband
Expects his wife to
Be busy, hands in
Motion, head thinking,
Lips closed and quiet.
However, he will
Not be coming yet,
His workplace is miles
Away, and it is
Still only midday.
The light will be your
Guide, your blessing, the
Gods will look down on
You and then turn their
Heads away, keep their
Eyes averted, their
Judgement held in check.
You are feeling the
Warmth of the midday
Sun; the noise from the
Street wakens you from
Your slumber. If your
Father saw you now,
His hand would be raised,
His voice would shout loud,
His brown eyes would blaze
Brighter than the sun
Outside. But he is
No more. You want more
Sleep, the day will wait,
The sunshine will keep.