Chaturdashpodi Kobita

My life began here, Maa begins,  
meaning, she wasn’t born  
here—she was that young 
when first married to Baba. When 

dreaming of their hours in a small one-
room space in Sunset Park, I want . . . 
what? The train stalls now close to Penn 
Station; I’m cold and the placid pond 

outside the broad window is no scene 
I care to name . . . still, I squint 
at these tenements which once 
served as sanctuary to Maa & Baba in 

those first days. Where now are the secrets 
between two strangers who made my eyes?