Three of them
sit on the stools
one tries to rise
the other gets down
while the third
the smallest
sits knowing
not what to do,
This being a ritual
every Saturday
of the week,
With a bowl
of sesame oil,
mildly warm, in which
pepper floats.
a piece of garlic
shimmers.
Smearing the oil
first on the body
of the eldest, I
rub with force
over the abdomen, ,
hands and legs,
finally on the head
a fair amount goes
with a strong massage.
Performing likewise
on the second
and the third, I make them
sit for full twenty minutes,
They play happily.
Hearing their scream as
the oil descends to the eyes,
turning them red.
I bathe them with traditional
soap nut powder.
They come out fresh
the skin looks beautiful
and soft. Hair gleams.
I make them take moringa
leaves soup. Reluctantly they sip
the bitter taste lingers for a while.
The day turns out to be hectic ‘
for the children as well as for me.
Those Saturdays. will they come?
Meenas Poems 