Lacnor Chocolate Milk

(Dedicated to Sruthi)

I am sure to sip

Slowly this time

And to allow myself

The privilege

To taste every memory –

Your hasty drinking

As if you were a contender in a race

It was your favourite drink

Sure to find in your hand

When you got back from

That canteen of ours

The canteen is not in our reach anymore

Neither are you here

The milk stays safe and fresh

In tetra paks

With the attached straw

In creative plastic wrap

That shows the same teddy bear

Smiling

Being carried away

By a chocolate parachute

With the sun shining

After all this while

But you’re not here

In the years that you’ve gone

I met somebody

And shared a moment

Where I was you

The hasty drinker

Because I was too thirsty

And it tasted wonderful

But was over too soon

So I had to try it again

Sitting here at my table

Just a day later

Revisiting the scene

As I drink it one last time

(For now)

The taste is novel

And so is the memory

Of me silently living

The memory of you

With another friend

A flavoured drink

Fortified -

Rich with longing

And tears

And a forgotten heart.