Domestic Damsel : An Anthology

By Aditi Sandeep

I wake to the sounds of neighbors amidst their morning chores.

The rhythmic scraping of the broom and voices in a low chatter,

Daily ritual of the front yard cleanse with splashes of water.

The milkman’s bark as he stops to deliver all along the street.

The house breathes softly as its residents lie asleep in their beds.

I do not want to disturb her slumber, for soon there will be chaos.

The kitchen welcomes its lady, vessels with their gleaming smiles.

Oh! how I adore each one of them! They are my friends and allies.

I brew a cup of tea as I set the mood and menu for the day,

The smell of cardamom and ginger gently wafts around.

I reconnoiter my fridge assembling ingredients, some favorites others not,

Orchestrating symphonies and melodies that will my family delight.

Tea made, I sit sipping its warm and spicy comfort from the living room,

Seated in my usual place there is just me in this moment of calm.

The little birds outside sing their morning cheer in voices euphonious.

Our garden is their theatre and I am their privileged audience.

A shaft of light spills in through the windows,

Illuminating every detail in shimmering highlight.

Bathed in the golden glow of morning light luminous,

Ordinary no more, transformed turns magically aglow.

Caught by surprise, dust motes suspended in midair,

Ever present invisible, suddenly to the naked eye appear.

Glistening turning silver and white I trace them in a trance,

Swirling around flickering like fireflies in a dance.

A ball of yarn lolls about languishing on my carpet,

Sunning itself, unravels with laze as I pull and tug it over.

Needles working line upon line of pattern in knit and purl,

like a mantra in meditation, I sync myself to the whirring world.

I know my times running out, in a few minutes my day will unfold,

Soon my harpy screech will shake awake the ones asleep.

As they moan and curse and come thundering down the stairs,

I want to stay just a few more minutes in this oasis of tranquil.

The frying pan that lay silent upon the stove,

Now clamors for my attention, awaiting my orders.

The morning madness has now commenced,

with the discordant clatters of dishes and spoons.

With breakfast the most important meal out of the way,

Now comes the turn of the equally important stainless-steel warriors.

An assembly line of lunch boxes, napkins and cutlery,

each compartment a declaration of devotion and duty,

Strapped down securely ready for dispatch.

I cast one last longing look at my place in the sun,

The light has shifted now, everything reverted to normal.

Ah! Tomorrow when I will bask in that bright patch again!

To listen to the birdsong and knit another line. Bliss!

By Aditi Sandeep