Good Morning Kolkata

Even before the first crow can caw for its breakfast,
Montu will bicycle his way through the narrow gullies of Shovabazar,
And throw the world rolled into a bundle, to eagerly awaiting bhodroloks in their verandahs ,
Sometimes the bundle will miss its target and roll down the moss covered walls
To fall into a puddle of yesterday’s rain
But that wont deter Potol’s father from sending the ever handy Minati masi
To go and collect it…
For his morning cup of cha and marie bishkoot is eagerly waiting on the plastic covered dining table….
So is a tall glass of lovingly made isabgol…
A few windows away little Minu is gobbling maach bhaat before bending in front of the thakur ghor and rushing out , water bottle in tow, to catch the bus…
Minus maa will follow her soon to school after finishing her chores,
Waiting patiently outside holding a tender coconut ,
As if her daughters future depended on the fateful sip of the nectar of the gods...
Minu’s Maa will also chant a silent prayer looking at the young college girls walking past
Praying that her daughter doesn’t turn out like these eye brow pierced freaks,
One of the freaks, Rhea, for a few fleeting moments, will reminiscence her tender coconut sipping days,
But quickly go back to worrying about the contraceptiveless sex she had the last night…

And before you know it my city will stretch herself awake…