Sunday 28 July 2019

Don't quite recognise this street



II.

The map says the coordinates are the same, but 
something's moved, irrevocable, intractable
there seems to be less space around the round table
and if I try to speak, some young voice pipes up, cuts

me off mid sentence. The cushions have hardened
what was lived-in is now lumpy, there's vermilion 
on the wall, dried leaves, extra sprees of religion,
too much incense, and some freedom's drawn to an end.

I can't recognise this street address, I can't breathe 
for the smoke from ghee burning lamps, and the shadows
under them are the deepest, a golden flame glows
beside the threshold but the plinth erodes underneath.

The rug's frayed, the floor's crumbly - friable concrete.
It wasn't this way, don't quite recognise this street.






Okay, so I hope the political storms in the teacups of my brain are over. Of course everyone should take a stand to defend whatever opinion they hold, but I am glad it's out of my system. Don't get me wrong, I'm not for one moment saying that it's okay to be intolerant and obnoxious, just that I'm going to resist that tendency in our politics elsewhere. Here I'm happiest being bindaas and will be reverting back to that state forthwith.



All of next month I'm travelling - in USA for the first time, and meeting people I haven't seen in several decades, so excited! My post for the WEP is scheduled and I promise it's nothing political :) I will be catching up on the blog as and when I can. Meanwhile, have the most wonderful month.


11 comments:

  1. Hari OM
    Writing is therapy - session over! Happy travels!!! YAM xx

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  2. I had to ask Captain Google about bindaas. Thank you (and it) for expanding my knowledge. And a big yes for leading a bindaas life.
    I hope your travels are truly magical.

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    1. Thank you. Bindaas is a bit difficult to translate :) but it's a good philosophy to own.

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  3. I understand not recognizing what should be familiar. I go visit my dad and where I grew up is the same and yet not. And we're not talking political changes or anything huge.

    hey - will you come to Texas......? If so - look me up
    email JLF58@tx.rr.com....... and then I'll give you my number (don't want it published here...Seriously. Would love to meet you and show you a very nice American welcome.
    Small world for sure!

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    1. Thank you Joanne, so touched by that welcome!

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  4. I hope you have a good experience traveling to America. Eat at a diner at 3am. Buy something useless at a truck stop. Melt a slice of white American cheese between two slices of white bread (Wonder bread, if you see it) because grilled cheese is crazy. And if you visit Amish country, get a shoo-fly-pie (no actual flies, I promise) - preferably from a roadside stand.

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    1. Thank you for those tips! I love roadside stands - I'll have to look up shoo-fly-pie, sounds super! :)

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  5. Have the best time, Nila. I hope all goes well and you get your son settled into college. Lots of photos please!
    J Lenni's comment makes me hungry, but nothing much appeals to me from his list. Let me know...

    I'll remember to post your DL. Promise!

    Denise

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    1. Thanks for everything, Denise! Off in a few hours!

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  6. Hi Nila - late ... but have seen you meeting up with old friends ... and see the USA - it'll be 'interesting' as well as lots of fun as you travel around.

    The word bindaas - excellent one ... I too needed a translator!

    Looking forward to more - cheers and continue on with happy times - perhaps get to Joanne .. cheers Hilary

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