Miss Flora Gonsalves

I went to meet an old lady today
drove down  Sai Baba lane

past the yellow- black gate
entered to see her face
Climbed to 303 and exclaimed
Can this old lady really climb?
I saw the gods of our land
placed by the sides
of steps. Long strides and thoughts
flew “how can this old lady do so much?”

We entered the simplest abode
to see, I swear
four chairs, a sofa-cum bed and a table with
a T.Vset. All in a BHK not even a room.
Reminds me of where I grew.
“ Wow dude, this place looks neat!”
And not just in the sense of flattery
you hear at tea parties or more
at a prayer meet.
But in the true sense of the word- NEAT!

She enquired of us
formally we did the same.
Like all Indians we refused
her offer of drinks
I’ll give you some she insists
and colour it up a bit.
Amongst hushed voices and the return
in the corner I see a tiny black and white man
“that’s my Father (colloquial english I smell)
he worked in East Africa and then…”
she talked a bit of her family
not much, only for a visitor to guess some stuff.

We heard of how she knew Aunty Sheila
and her elder brother who lives in Kolkata.
Wait until he sees a letter from his old Eng Teacher
on what was best described as
his soon to be celebrated –50th Birthday.
We talked about the Cavalcade,
cricket’s bad shot down history

why should they make gods of one (athletes)
and ignore the other to hunger
Look at Anand
tongue in cheek he replies
“ I want to see what India says to another cup”

We talked on Literature
38 years she served her love you know.
I think to myself – really, can she proudly say so?
she offers us something to chew on.
No! thank you for the same
there we go habits out again
He is surprised to hear her talk so much
of cricket , news updates and life
not bored yet, but wanting to live out the rest

We open our hearts to her, only
to understand hers was always one
We sat on the edge and listened
on every word and dream
“What will I say to the visitor”
When I am old and passed the test.
She loves to talk of her ex-students
one our very own English teacher, Aunty Sheila and her brother.
Overjoyed that at this age
her students , not herself,
recognize and respect her.

We talked over two hours
and while she took a break to fill
the water out of her taps
He says, “ Politely excuse ourselves
I need to buy the veggies or mum will yell,
We aren’t bored , I can tell you and I
But look and the time and…”

She offers us dinner now! – quickly
We spring up
“better be on our way ma’am
(yes we do that to every teacher we meet)
he is on errands and already late”
Quickly Quickly! hurry she waves
or mommy will yell.
We exchange goodbyes, wishes
and leave as well.

Walking down 303
I thought we met an old lady today
who lives down sai baba lane
But we met a lady
who proved time and age that tell
as simply Lame.

I met a Lady who is just that- A Lady.
For in a lot of terms she is still – Young.