School summer break, little Indian town
mid noon stares of burning sun on empty streets
the small iron grilled window up the wall
one nine year and another ten
perched on the long couch below
fried cashews and raisins afloat the milky rice pudding
my mum's little summer treat.
couch jumping a naughty pastime
mum's reprimand on siblings deaf ears
sudden fear in my eyes replace the frolic
a tall strange rustic face at the windowsill
my sister runs for mum
he threatens to kill my dad.
stone faced; body transfixed
my twin ears hear door latched from outside
frantic steps of my mum from inside
he disappears.
Desperate attempt to open the door,
shout for neighbours
their doors latched like ours,
phones alien in our town houses then
huddled in houses, mum stares out of window
clock ticks, some passersby on street at last
our door unlatched.
subsequent unlatch of neighbour's doors
men returning home from work
setting sun has a tale to settle
the afternoon scares shared
a tight hug from dad, we feel safe.
A thief my dad caught in a house break in.
a different street, a different year
yet his memory strong of my father's face
just like mine today
his revenge found our address
my dessert of raisin and cashew lost taste.
