Morning Saga

She breezes in every morning, sometimes storms in
At ten or eleven or thereabouts
Accusing her peers of being lousy louts
Sending my staid household into a spin

She then sums me up with just a blink of an eye
"You went shopping yesterday, so I’m told
Bought three silk saris and saab’s got a cold!"
"Yeah..." I think, "Even the cops could use such a spy!"

She starts with the kitchen sink, rambling in full flow
"Rather hot today!" she says with a frown
I feebly smile as my pots and pans drown
In gallons of water mixed with soap by the kilo

"Have you heard of Mr. Mehta’s latest fancy?
His wife has - and been quite livid ever since."
She gives the dishes a cursory rinse
"Now he’s moping around like a wilted pansy!"

"How delightful!" I say even as a cup chips
She shrugs and dares me to utter a word
I grin, for my courage has turned to curd
And though I seethe, not a whimper escapes my lips

She wields the broom next, with a flair most uncanny
Two strokes here and three there wrap up each room
While spiders cheerfully spin webs of gloom
Arty anthills ravage surface, nook and cranny

"There’s a tawdry new watchman at the building gates
Just as bad as the old one, I suppose
So rude and snootily turns up his nose
Humility and grace are long forgotten traits..."

The swabbing is a less elaborate affair
And her temper is decidedly dour
For the clock has already struck the hour
Aren’t there more important matters under her care?

"Today, the Kumars gave their maid a hefty raise
It is high time now you revised my pay
Though you do give me a break each Sunday
It is but a hi-tech cellphone that my son craves!"

"But," I cry, "It’s been just two months since the last hike!"
"Haven’t you heard of inflation, my dear?
You must watch the news..." she says with a sneer
"Or read up... for it plagues the rich and poor alike"

I grow pale for I can find nothing more to say
"I’ll come tomorrow," she says soothingly
Innocent of blackmail and polity
She shrugs at my disquiet, smiles and calls it a day

© Copyright 2008 Madhulika. All rights reserved.