HUNGRY RHYMES

by Anuradha Bhattacharyya

We rode up to the joint
And ordered Mountain Dew
Sipping which
Our blood simmered
In cold comfort
Of the open sky,
The bare trees,
The squeaking squirrels.

We rode up to the booth
And ordered Masala Dosa
Which went down
Like a rock
In the light waters
Of emotion,
Spicing up a tasty meal
Rather too spicily.

We rode up to a stall
And ordered noodles,
Syrupy savoury smooth
Slivery sumptuous smooching
The hungry belly.
The lips parted for more
And the guts sank
As an after-effect.

We rode up to the terrace
For coffee and in haste –
For we were yet not satisfied –
We gulped down a boiling cup
Then joining hands
We clambered into
The all embracing darkness
Of our humble rooms.