Hiraeth : mint chutney made by my mother

Hiraeth : mint chutney made by my mother

Mornings are no longer

those languorous times,

when the sweet dreams of the night

gave way to trays of breakfast in bed.

Aalu Parantha and white butter

with mint chutney so heartily prepared

on “Sil batta” my mother received in dowry.

Juliennes of ginger, minced garlic

bunches of mint with a hint of chilly

crushed together under the ancient stone

with just enough pressure,

a skill perfected over years.

So different from the one I make-

the homogenous paste

prepared in haste

in the mixer grinder

to spread on a hurried toast

gulped down with an insipid green tea.
                                            - Neha Bansal