When you knew those things and I knew too
And we was two restive,
I had secret leanings.
Watched a mango pod
Under the pink garden tap
                                         Shoot green.

And what I learnt I knew,
And what I learnt I knew I knew.

I whispered dark before sunbreak,
Behind the bolted
Stretched small on the floor with a white
Turkish towel,
The brass tap making spit bubbles.

You played stories,
Climbed Kadamba trees,
                                      Thin cat!
Talked noons and sunsets with Sudaama
Close at your heels.

Talked incessantly, chewing leaves,
Scooping handfuls of muri
Into your pink-tongued mouth,
Twirling flute between fingers and thumb
You learned your giant song.

Sudaama there'd be no friend like you!
You made promises.

And what you promised was true,
And what
                 You learnt