I have seen the power
In the black beads
Strung across your clavicle.

You knew that Mars
Is a difficult god to ride
But you defined him, anyway.
You wore your bangles of gold
As armour, and worried
When I refused to put them on.
Who, or what
Would protect me then?

How could you know?

That I would find strength
In the ring of bronze
You bought for yourself
And wore everyday,
Even as the one
With diamonds and pearls
Stayed locked securely
For occasional displays.

That your everyday strength
As you came home to make
Perfectly rolled chapatis
And yellow daal
Rich in its simplicity
Inspired in me
A discipline
You could not have foreseen.

You are stronger than you know.

For Jyoti Mardolkar