Confined in a modest room
for sixteen days. I drink sesame oil
munched palm jaggery.
I stay bored.
I tiptoe, a deceit anyhow
My watchful aunt stops me.
Back in the room, I remain
doleful.
I call her names. Not aloud,
she would flog me if she picks up.
I stretch out on my rough bed.
I am penalized for no reason.
She reads through the papers,
One eye on the news
while another on me.
I make faces at her.
It is half past nine
she appears at the door
with a board game.
Something unfamiliar to me.
It s a conventional one
with fourteen pits.
The rosewood board glitters.
I listen to her directives.
She fills the pits with cowry.
distributes the white shells
going counterclockwise.
Says repeated playing would
turn me a arithmetical wizard.
I follow her. She commits
mistakes knowingly.
Makes way for me to win.
I undertake with intensity
The game goes on for hours.
A trick she indulges to keep
me occupied. I enjoy, the motivation,
the technique and the skill.
The girls when they attain age
have to be in seclusion. Isolated.
Overseen by aunts and grand mothers.
A time to strengthen the physique.
My affable aunt expresses discipline
and love all the more, prepares
protein rich food. The prescribed diet
makes the young girl’s body strong.
A nourishment for the future.
The prospect of child-bearing years
intercepts.
I contemplate as how to honour the guests.
who would grace to my granddaughter’s ceremony?
The good old days and the memories
of my aunt inspire me. I decide.
Order Pallanguzhi and Palm jaggery for chocolates.
Substitutions unheard off!
How will be the response?
I dare not deliberate.
Meenas Poems 