My Grandmothers House

There is a house now far away where once
I received love That woman died,
The house withdrew into silence, snakes moved
Among books, I was then too young
To read, and my blood turned cold Tike the moon
How often I think of going
There, to peer through blind eyes of windows or
Just listen to the frozen air,
Or in wild despair, pick an armful of
Darkness to bring it here to lie
Behind my bedroom door like a brooding
Dog...you cannot believe, darling,
Can you, that I lived in such a house and
Was proud, and loved.... I who have lost
My way and beg now at strangers' doors to
Receive love, at least in small change?


Kamala Das