The Gifts You, My Mother, Brought
on My Wedding Day
- Jhilmil
Breckenridge (India)
I
wore mogra in my hair
Alta
on my feet, silver bells tinkling through
My
grandmothers jewels on my body
Chandan
behind my ears, a gold crescent shone on my forehead
My
blue sari was the underbelly of a dancing peacock
My
eyes sparkling as I looked into the truth of Partho’s eyes
We
made our vows, exchanged simple bands
His
silver like the full moon, mine gold; both for eternity
Our
families watched; fish and mochar chops disappeared, conversations tinkling
like a forest stream
The
black Labrador, Bhooto, like a mascot at our feet
The
chai was sweet, Lopsang perhaps
Mashima
smiled, and my aunt Seema smiled without her eyes crinkling
Your
husband, my father sat mute, an unwilling spectator to my wedding feast
I
missed my brother Arjun but I was heady with the wine of Partho’s eyes
The
drums were silent that day, only the fragrance of mogra enveloped the
evening
Arpita
brought me some purple earrings, moon rocks
Parthos
baby sister, Gullu, brought shocking pink gladioli
Tall
and resplendent Russian tsarinas; we dipped them in crystal kissed by sea
salt
You,
my mother, brought a bunch of narcissi, proud and delicate, just like yourself
And
just like your love, they wilted without care