8 o’clock

( This  poem is based on Load shedding or Rolling blackout which is an intentional power shutdown for a fixed period of time almost everyday. )

We all follow a daily routine,

rarely it changes rarely we try.

Similar was this house,

To many others in India,

Where time stopped for none and,

None stopped for time.

But it was, when the clock struck- ‘8’,

that things would change.

Women stopped cooking,

men stopped working,

children closed their books.

Old Amma*  ended her prayers,

Afterall the clock read- ‘8’.

Candles were lit,

to welcome the prince-

The Prince of darkness indeed.

The family of ten was out in the garden,

With chairs,

snacks and paper fans of course.

First ten minutes were devoted,

to a never ending debate,

“Akhir*, whom to blame for this plight”

Said  the chacha*on the right.

“the Government or the people?”

Just then maamiji *brings up an issue,

Which wasn’t an issue till then.

It is then debated

and discussed by all.

When discussions become arguments,

Bold maamiji diverts attention,

to an issue a family member faced that day,

We knew half an hour has passed when old Amma serveshot kheer*

And after that was time for,

Laughter.

Jokes, pranks and riddles- the entire family enjoyed.

But just in a while the rusty fans,

creaked again,

And the house lit again,

within seconds everyone was inside,

and the pendulum started its work again.

The house was back to ‘normal’ in a while.

Amma* said that this routine would change someday,

The fan would work for 24 hours a day.

But then will it be the same ,

When its 8’o clock again?

* OldAmma: literally old mother/ here grandmother

* Akhir: afterall

* chacha: Uncle 

* maamiji:Aunt

* kheer: traditional SouthAsian sweetdish

* Amma: mother