Kamala Das

Driving from my parent’s home to Cochin last Friday ,morning, I saw my mother ,beside me

I don't know politics but I know the names Of those in power, and can repeat them like .Days of week, or names of months, beginning with Nehru ,I amIndian, very brown, born inMalabar

This is a noon for beggars with whining Voices, a noon for men who come from hills ,With parrots in a cage and fortune-cards ,All stained with time

There is a house now far away where once ,I received love……. That woman died The house withdrew into silence, snakes moved Among books, I was then too young