Archaic

Sticking to old practice
which my mom inculcated,
I have not shampooed my hair
treat my hair with Shikakai.

I have not been to a beauty parlour,
not once to be frank, Kum kum
is the only cosmetic I use,
right in my forehead
it is blood red.

To say so I have not spent
a pie towards manicure,
waxing, pedicure, foundation,
mascara, rouge. Well,
I know only that much.

I follow a schedule
Tuesdays, and Fridays, oil bath,
the other days regular baths
with home made soap. No sauna,
no spa. Very frugal.

The same goes with medicines,
Mostly take nothing to cure cold,
fever and cough, At times
swallow a pain killer, very recently,
my knees being the culprit.

Ginger, ‘turmeric, black pepper,
garlic, lemon are added liberally
they are less expensive extend
immense benefits. A short walk
around my garden is the only exercise.

Artificial is not my word.
I live close to nature
with trees, herbs, hedges
standi tall in the garden,
lending shade and greenery.

Cats, squirrels, birds, bats
nimble, peck and consume
the first bunch of fruits, I
find seeds scattered all over
indicating that fruits have turned ripe

I might sound archaic,
it is how I am made of.