CLOSE TO HER CHEST
amma's hands
were permanently
stained bright red
as the colour of Lifebuoy cake
smelling
of freshly ground spices
distinctive aromas
caraway seeds, cummin, fennel
chillies, asafoetida, cinnamon
attacking the senses
on the rooftop
under the midday sun
chopped green mangoes
freshly plucked, washed, sun-dried
on muslin cloth
always watchful of the monkeys around
out to destroy her labour of love
this love
found its way into the pickle jars
sold out on Thursdays at the village 'haat'*
unbranded
mango, lemon, gooseberry stuffed chillies
gave fierce competition to the branded
amma's gnarly hands
last seen folded on her chest
stiffened with rigour mortis
locking the recipes never shared
*Amma translates to mother.
*Haat is market
Snigdha Agrawal (nee Banerjee) is a spontaneous writer, writing in all genres, covering poetry, prose, short stories and travelogues. A non-conformist septuagenarian, she took up writing as a hobby post-retirement and continues to learn and experiment with the out-of-the-box style.
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