A winter that’s not
I’ve never known the snowy winter that’s in the poems
or the winter that makes the news
the only winter I’ve known all my life
is an absence of it
a litany of all things that make it up
rosy cheeks, breath vapour and snug sweaters
yet
I know it’s winter
when lone branches of the neem
remind me of how ajji looked –
a day after ajja’s death
the winter I know doesn’t have bonfires or stories
but I know its winter
when dad steals an hour from his morning to sleep
mom sips on an extra cup of tea
and I re-watch Manchester by the sea
winter in the south
is like the taste of an old lover in mouth
bittersweet, deprived and yet -
on most days
wistful enough
like winter itself
About the poet:
Shruti is a law student seeking to ground her love for literature in the quotidian. She enjoys staring at people and going for walks. You can find her on Instagram @kshruti315.
About the artist:
I am Nandita Mukundan, fashion designer and freelance illustrator based out of Kochi. Art has always been my favourite form of escapism, and I draw inspiration from things I see, watch and learn. Through my art I try to create layers of details that adds depth and ages the object or character. You can follow my work on Instagram @nandita.mukundan