I Remember - 5 Poem by Indira Renganathan

9 Bangle Sellers
Like any other common street vendors
They too were the regular sellers

'Valaiyal, valaiyal' as they shouted
On and off along the long streets
Kids to grandmas were all happy
To buy new bangles

Though occasions like 'Baby Shower' added
Richness to the sellers' livelihood
As days passed away fast
This street vending too vanished fast

Memories glitter with such golden feathers
Till today like that of old bangle sellers

10 Then
No Jean Val jean rose
There people to follow
To keep the doors open
Morn to Night...
A customary trend
It was that just the clock
Struck four and wished 'Good Morning'
Opened the front and rear doors
And kept open till ten at night
Extremely remote chances for
Theft or dacoity unlike
Today's apartment-life
Sheltered behind closed doors
What happens inside
Outsiders hard to know
Yet
Lately changed my small township too
To a dusty congestion crowded
Letting out all odours mixed up
But
With a generous heart of
Reminding me of the old
Jasmine days