They close their filthy cupboards.
As if I want anything to do with their untidy clothes.
I take off one day, and all hell breaks loose.
The house becomes a pile of garbage.
Still, the ignorance of these oafs
To think I would even want a peek into their capitalist cupboards.
I love my kids too much to wonder about what they hide in those shady lockers.
They are quite “modern,” as they call it.
But hide their classism in their dark closets, along with scraps.
I get to see them all.
Their bare house and souls.
Their filthy dog hair lies everywhere.
One day, I found it in the breakfast that madam offered me.
I sifted out the hair and ate the food, but wondered,
They can eat food with a dog’s hair in it, but they will keep my cup separately.
Tea and breakfast are nice.
But that is not enough to woo me.
Is it enough to pay my kids’ school fees?
They party for every promotion and increment.
Their petty minds never crossed the thought
to offer a raise to the one who cleans up their vomit.
Money is not the only factor they are stingy about.
Appreciating or complementing is a small, selfless act.
But selflessness and empathy are not the characteristics of an empty brain.
I plough away the entire week without taking a day off.
ignoring signs from my body telling me to stop.
but God forbid if I leave one corner of the house.
Madam will make sure to jeer.
“Kaam pe dhyan nahi rehta aaj kal.”
