Red Velvet

My first view of the red velvet gilt-edged diary

Was of its opening page, of a declaration in my newly-wed aunt’s hand

On my uncle’s behalf

Saying he will never hit her again

Signed by my uncle, with love.

In the bottommost shelf of her almirah

I saw the book again today

When her teenaged daughter was rummaging for a favourite top.

Skipping several blank pages after the first one

I saw my aunt’s grocery lists

And miniscule digits secured in ovals
That showed how much she had managed to save.

First published in Muse India, Jul-Aug 2014. Subsequently published in Califragile, 23 Jan 2018.