The Housewarming

New house -
Sweep up the courtyard, scrub down the floor
Open the windows, let in the Sun.
Let in the cool breeze, let in the laughter
Let draperies sway on a dancing spree.

Light up the lamp, boil the milk
Let it spill, dousing the flame.
Scatter the blooms, the sweetest of scents
Serve up the food, pour down the wine.

Flowers in pots, dogs in cages,
God’s in heaven; all’s right with the world.

Now bring it in then, the red coloured tin!
For, they hide -
Behind the doors and nooks and corners
Below the shelves and show-off cases
Beneath the steps, above the screens –
Hiding in despair, huddling in horror
Trembling in wrath, fraught with fear
Making themselves unseen to us.

Now bring it on then, the red coloured tin
And let’s douse it on the ant and roach.
Let’s watch the spider stagger and die
Let’s behold the shriveling up ants.

Cockroaches run helter and skelter
Only to pause – and turn over-
All legs up and dancing in the air.

****** Balachandran. V. Trivandrum 19.07.2015