I will put in my box

The Magic Box

I will put in my box
Raghu grown-up and greeting Pam in English
Balaji taller, more gaunt, with a black beard
Suresh mature and full of wit and sparkle
I will put in my box
The tiny beautiful mother serving us a feast
Banana leaves, crossed legs on the floor
And their delight at my ‘kunjum Tamil’
I will put in my box
Swarms of small children ‘What is your name please?
Photo please, one more photo'
Garlands of acid yellow and purple flowers
The men showing off their speed weaving and India versus England cricket
I will put in my box
The beautiful girls who are the story behind the One Candle
The mother with new wet Mehndi hands
And her fat baby boy, woken to a sea of strange faces
I will put in my box
‘ Happy Pongal’, decorated cows, chickens riding on a motorbike
Rangoli colours and temple racket through the night
Balaji’s dead friend, his sadness and his quiet help with Brian’s bike

And the walls will be made of our attempts at each other’s language
With in each corner a candle of love across the cultures
And all of it wrapped in their gratitude for a chance at education
And our delight at the chance treasured and cherished


K V Kuppam 15th January 2009