Lakshmi Iyer's Blog, page 42
September 25, 2018
Paging Lady Grinch
She floats down, a vision in orange gauze. I should feel adoration or even pride but all I feel are frissons of irritation. Her sisters bound down behind her, pride at having dressed their little sister in a dress. They are all seated at the kitchen island. I flip crisp dosas at the stove with […]
September 13, 2018
In Rainbows And Colors, She Rests
It arrives in the form of a grave email, the somber tone, the weight of the words taking time to sink. It steeps in me, slowly. I feel it in my eyes, in my throat, in the pit of my stomach. I call out to my children who are working on Math. I share with […]
September 12, 2018
#ToAllTheBoysIveLovedBefore
#ToAllTheBoysIveLovedBefore at the high school, I was too busy trying to not cry at being called fat, busy trying to fit in, busy trying to come out of the shadow of my beautiful friends. I was trying hard to stay awake in class after 5:00 AM tuitions and after-school remedial classes. I was too caught […]
September 9, 2018
I Wish For You
House cloaked in silence Wisps of steam coiling from your coffee The sizzle of a dosa pan The pungent sharpness of onion chutney Time to collect your thoughts Ability to close the bathroom door behind you Time to read a book Wrap a throw and watch a movie Walk in the chill air Know the […]
September 8, 2018
In The Eyes Of The Beholder
The house is quiet. Saathi is clacking away at his keyboard at our kitchen island. I am tempted to go find what the girls are up to. Instead, I find a pair of socks, wear my sneakers and head out for a walk. It is fall weather. The sidewalk all around the community I live […]
September 5, 2018
The Struggle Is Real
“You are burning up!” I yell at someone in my dream. The feeling is too real. I wake up with a gasp and realize that Laddu is in bed, her arm resting on mine. Her skin is hot to touch. I touch her forehead and with a sigh push the covers off and make my […]
September 2, 2018
Finally, A Gift He Likes!
“This is the best birthday gift you have given me!” Saathi beams as he chops vegetables and lifts his eyes to mine. I search for snark and find none. He truly is enjoying the breeze the portable fan in front of him is generating. For years he would sit at the island, sweat beading above […]
August 30, 2018
Echoes From The Past
The moon is a faint echo on the horizon as I drive back home from the daycare. It is way too late in the morning to catch the moon. I turn into my housing development and it is no longer in view. This has been an unusual week so it makes sense I see a […]
August 25, 2018
Annual Rituals: Back To School
“It’s not fair!” I exclaim to Ammu as the pile of hand-me-downs for Laddu grows in height. “That poor child always wears old stuff.” Ammu is silent as she chews on my remark. In a voice that is careful she says “No, you do actually get her new things.” I let go of my mock […]
August 21, 2018
The Making Of A Home
It is nearly 2:00 in the afternoon and I realize with a start that I have not had a chance to sit down yet. I am not sure what I have been doing so I sit down and actually make a list. Make coffee Unload dishwasher Make eggplant fry Pressure cook rice Make almond chutney […]
