Thaathi goes to a wedding

She draped a sari of red silk and gold
Donned a buff-sleeved blouse of old
Fixed a pearl brooch on her shoulder
A golden waistband, a silver keychain;

She piled her hair into a graceful top-knot
And pinned on a jewel of garnet and gold
Swirled some strings of jasmine around it
And stuck a blood red rose on the crest.

She took out the old family diamonds
A pair for her ears and a pair for her nose;
Put on her old necklace of gold
Slipped on jingling gold bangles
And topped them with finger rings – coral and gold

She dabbed on powder to brighten her moon face
Then dotted her forehead with a bright red bindi
Lined her eyes with a lash of kohl black
And chewed on a betel leaf to red-stain her lips

She picked up her shiny old purse of yore
Looked at herself in the mirror just twice
Then turned to the door, a smile on her face
Then put on her slippers, shiny new
Now she was ready to bless the couple.

Thatha on a walk

Thatha on a walk
March, march, march
The walking stick flies
Tuk, tuk, tuk
Noisy crows fly past
Shoo, shoo, shoo
Junk on the way
Whisk, whisk, whisk
Giggly girls
Glare, glare, glare
Wicked boys
Frown, frown, frown
Sun goes down
Tch, tch, tch
Thatha's back home
Knock, knock, knock!

Thatha's wait

Pacing up and down
With a 6 a.m. frown
Coffee inside
No newspaper in sight!