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
- Neha Bansal
