Mt.Kenya

I lost the poem that was to accompany this photo,but the pic is great as well.Will post the poem next week.

{Picture property of the theatrecompany}

Yaa Din {Memories}

Our neighbour was a balding old Muindi doctor.A Dentist.He wore thick g;asses but only when out in the sun.When I was moving in,he sent his driver to help me with my things.They were on good terms with my roomate.We were staying in his S’Q His wife worked at his clinic’s reception.His two daughters and son were in America and India respectively.
A very friendly fellow like many old people turn out to be.He had a thick accent. He asked -vat do you need a computer for?
Told him I was a freelance write and he was very intrigued.He told me he used to write but got too busy.-Maybe you remind me how to it yes?
Ten he told me he read a lot
-I like thrillers,like The little drummer girl,I also read Stephen King ,and old stories like Poor Folk and Other stories,Dostoversky Fyodor?
I told him I was reading Memoirs of a Geisha
Since I was working from the house he would pop in to say hallo many times.I’d be scribbling something then I’d hear footsteps,then a knock and a big grin would pop from the door and he would say –Namaste!
He called me Shakespeare, and said of course I was prettier than the famed writer,too many times he made me uncomfortable.especially when he said he wished he was younger and single.
_Now now Mr.Ranjit,Soni must have been quite a heartbreaker those days.
-Yes yes but would never compare to you.You,you are a very, pretty lady.He would go on,giving me an expectant look.
_I’m sure you had similar thoughts with regard to Mrs.Ranjit when you married her
-Actually I marred her because it was time to marry.My parents chose her
_I find that hard to believe.No man can be forced.
-We put up with each other,and she's very bright to.Good with money and with customers.
He reminded me of my college days.I went to a business school for a while before I started on 3D Graphics.Our college was situated between two boys’ high schools.The greens on the left and the browns on the right.They used to hang around the college gate in the evening.I was hearing all sorts of stories going round about college girls and school boys,sounded like a myth.Until one day young ambitious boy approached me as I was adjusting my back pack at the school’s gate.He went into a session of flattery,then escorted me to the matatu stage at Museam Hill,and nothing was going to stop him from following me further unless he had my phone number.The following weeks I had to leave college before 4 p.m otherwise he’d he waiting for me at the gate.When he called me,he’d tell me-I want you to be my girlfriend,and don’t say you’re older than me.I could be still in high school but I know what a girl wants.
Sometimes think,it’s easier to reason with an adult who’ll accept a no for a no,but a boy of 15,16 will not leave it at that.He gave up on me after some months of waiting at the school’s phone booth,pretending to make a phone call,and I’d be watching from one of the classes.
Mr.Ranjit also reminded me of myf irst job.I was 18 and worked in an Indian wholesale shop.I had a crush on one of the workers.He was very cute,in my eyes .Average size.He smiled a crack and had beautiful fingers.He was called Krish.But he was married and had a son.
Mr.Ranjit is still our friend.Once in a while he invites me for lunch at a Tandooli restaurant and I take a long a frined and he ends up having to explain to the friend all about puling out people’s teeth.It is almost humorous to see the awe with which he looks at me. Like a cute puppy.

Miss

She shed tears like raindrops
Her hair stuck on her face ,wet
I asked how does it hurt
Where does it ache
And how does it feel when it pains

She smiled,I asked
How she could smile with all those
All those tears in her eyes

She said her heart was bleeding.

She crossed the road and sat
On the pavement
And the rain started to fall
She bent her head and heaved

I forgot my name, she said
Maybe I never knew it
And now I wish to know
I’d like to move on

She said her heart was weeping, and bleeding.

When her tears flowed she felt hollow
And bruised. She felt regret
For unattainable wishes

I feel pain and pin pricks
A feeling spreads through
My bones, through every nerve

She had forgotten home
She had forgotten love
She couldn’t remember happiness

I can only be sad ,she said.
How do you smile I asked.
How do you smile with all that sadness?