Coffee House Poem by Prathibha Nandakumar

Coffee House



Slumping on the chair she said
calling out to Vincent for a cigarette
knew I could catch you here.
Lighting her Vincent said
where did you disappear.
Inhaling she said hospital

Not me, him, a pause and then
My fears were true, he is positive
Sipping the strong coffee that Vincent served
with out her asking. Laughing a dry laugh she said
I also went in for a total checkup, and added,
just for assurance. Then exhibited her knowledge of
Window period, precaution, care and all that.

It’s not easy being an activist. Especially when
the living in friend turned companion is diagnosed positive
But I will fight it till the end she said staring at the tattoo
on the wrist, remembering how she had insisted on a
new needle washing it in Dettol, and now this.
Countering my hey what’s this with a why you too.

It was just last week that she was running around to
organize Parsi cremation as per the last wishes of a
Full blown any-minute-can-be-the-last-minute case
When Femila committed suicide, had fought with the police
for the body and when some one once suggested to
apply for foreign fund started a seminar
at the very minute on the pavement

Very unlike her to sit silent after coffee.
I asked what the matter was.
Fear lurking at the edge of her eyes for the first time
She said I am also positive.


Translated from Kannada by the poet.

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