Not all men are tone deaf unable to hear the call

of hunger. Body, bosom, bare hips, needless to say

bare feet. She cannot afford the luxury of sleep.

Her hair smells of jasmine and hands glisten with

Jaipuri bangles. Kohl-rimmed eyes ready to sting.

 

Worn out with waiting the city lacerates one and all.

The city has spared none. The city will spare no one.

The street is her illustrious companion.

 

Often it rings with the flavor of seviyan and paan

Even the ghungroo relishes the touch of korma.

 

Tabla and sitar once had a taste of lucknowi tehzeeb.

Tracing her steps, up and down, subversive innuendoes,

voices reeking with lust and country made liquor, gaping

indifference of the hushed minarets. Often she is baffled

by the distant call of Amma: “Get up and be ready for Ajaan.”

 

A whiff of wisdom sits on her head. She opens her empty

fist and catches the fading star, like long lost siblings they

laugh at each other and promise to meet again. If not tonight,

she knows she will find a lover and watch him snap

her dreams with eager lips and unsteady fingers.

 

Glossary

Seviyan

Pudding made of sugar, semolina and nuts

Paan

Betel leaf

Ghungroo

Ankle bells

Korma

Meat dish

Lucknowi Tehzeeb

City of Lucknow with its distinct culture and tradition

Ajaan

Prayers