Bonding With Veggie Seller
Bonding With Veggie Seller


some people touch your life in such a way
that, the gestures leave indelible marks
I was missing her for sometime
she was not to be seen in the lanes for a while
carrying a big basket of veggies on her head
she would cover all by lanes to sell
and eke out livelihood for self
She was different from a regular hawker
as she had no bickering towards any
used to mind own business
and safe keep her modest earnings
She would spell out names of veggies
in a sweet voice
akin to a solo rendition sans instruments
her ways were gentle, her dealings were good
she had woven a tapestry of bond
caused uplift of mood
Her typical style appealed to one and all
never she raised voice nor picked up a brawl
she carried a spread of fresh veggies
the basket was her paradise
each purchase had an assured free gift
of green chilly
Her toothless smile as she weighed and parceled
exposed her deep red tongue
that matched up with her large red bindi
that she wore all along
In her twilight years she was
yet not at mercy
she chatted and smiled with ease
as she sold her basket full well ahead of return journey
One day I had offered her a glass of lemonade
when it was sweltering hot and sultry outside
she was moving from lane to lane
took no break, had no rest nor respite
she sat for a while and looked at me
her grateful eyes acknowledged my deed
"my spouse is sick and I may not turn up
I shall bring some goodies when we catch up"
I asked her not to bother
but she insisted and told-
"let me show a pinch of gesture my dear"
I have been looking for her since then
a fortnight or so has elapsed and in vain
do not know when I shall meet her again.
@sujata dash