it is the morning
the sun rises in the east
well, You would be knowing
I sprinkle water first
mixed with cow dung
around my porch effusively
the odour begins now with the dung
ithe inmates would find it repulsive
but I, for one, go by tradition
on the green coloured patch
a kolam is done as a rendition
the powder is made out of rice
a pleasant smell adds up to the charm
My morning chores call me loud
meantime, I rub my hair with gingelly oil
heated with garlic and pepper
a mild pungent smell emanates
with the oil in my head
I grate the coconut and chop the onion
add a pinch of asafoetida
I prepare the morning chutney
an aroma fills the air
it is so lively and appealing to me
you would think I am crazy
as you sniff and sneeze through
I rush to take my bath
apply shikakai profusely over my head
turn the shower setting it to warm
a luxurious bath I undertake
much to your chagrin and fury
while the house is wrapped with this odour
I come out to dry my hair with the fumes
coming out from the burning cinders
that flare up with the sambrani powder
the white fumes come up in circles
a faint pleasant smell to me in the go
the house now smells different
then I march into my kitchen
again to the onions, garlic and ginger
the dhal and vegetables, tamarind and curd
all combine together in proportions
let out a mixed smell on the whole
my chimney extracts the most
certain times it overworks
and fails to do a perfect job
all the food prepared is packed
the remains dumped in the refrigerator
another treasure house of the odour
the vessels are left to be washed
they release a smell offensive
as they lie there for hours
waiting for the arrival of the maid
the odour builds up gradually
the atoms and the neutrons combine
the kitchen becomes stuffy
I myself could not tolerate
I just close the kitchen door
throw open all the windows in the house
keep the main door wide open
.and sit waiting for my maid
I am happy , happier and happiest
to see her come in
at last she is there
My maid comes in a hurry
opens the back door with a heavy push
and in half an hour time cleans the vessels
dries them and arranges them in the shelf
dusts and sweeps the kitchen
washes the floor with the cleansing liquid
the stove and the walls are wiped smooth
she attend to the washhng area with a dedication
never she is miserly in the usage of water
it is I who think about water
as we have acute water shortage
she scrubs and mops the area forcefully
the kitchen appears pretty smart and lovely
next she enters the main living are
sweeps and mops the floor
removes the dust and cob webs that hang around
does it so meticulously with care and ease
as I sit there watching her
with an open mouth
my jaws open out in aghast
as to the mess I have confirmed
and the cleanliness my maid has affirmed
I am blogging for <a href=’https://ambipur.blogadda.com‘ target=’_blank’>#SmellyToSmiley</a> activity at <a href=’https://www.blogadda.com\’ target=’_blank’>BlogAdda.com</a> in association with <a href=’https://www.rewardme.in/tag/ambipur‘ target=’_blank’>Ambi Pur</a>
Meenas Poems 