Mavis Howard
Parvati
the beautiful. Shiva’s consort.
Because she was the most decrepit
Mother chose her as our sweeper.
Forty was she? Or younger. Some lingering
teeth, composted down by lime and betel.
Mother termed her “helper”, bought her saris,
sought to uncringe her.
Millennia of dust would not permit it.
She would be humble, eat in hidden corners,
whine, bend over, touch feet.
But her broom was seal of office,
orb and sceptre.
What if we choked and begged for mercy?
Dust was despatched to every corner,
her duty, power and right.
One day a small child brought a message.
Parvati was needed. Somewhere. By someone.
Needed.... She didn’t return.
The presenter drools over an erotic temple,
gods and goddesses loving in rows.
As the lens homes in on his favourite pose
I catch off centre a small figure bent double,
sweeping, sweeping.
Page(s) 32
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