A Recipe
Translated from the original in Malayalam by Sugatha Kumari

Chop fine into
very thin pieces,
drip salty tears and stir,
add the spicy flavor
of an impotent rage,
sprinkle the shame of
bitter insults,
and cook in simmering heat.
Sputter a little ridicule,
garnish with a pinch
of the sweetness of love,
before serving the dish.
Today your lunch
should taste great, dearest.
Oh, you are a vegetarian?
It’s alright. This a just
a trivial silly heart -
broken and worthless -
that I bought in the market.
And this that tastes
delicious on your tongue –
a poem dripping my blood.


Oru Pachakakkurippu

- Sugatha Kumari
cheruthaay kkotthikkotthi
nuRukkiyedukkuka
NiRayekkaNNeeruppu veezhtthi
yonniLakkuka
nishphalakrOthatthinte
yerivum veeRum chERkka
kayppezhumapamaanaatthinte
lajjayum chaali
ccuLchhodil thiLappiccu vaanguka
athin mumbo
ritthirparihaasam thaaLikka,
oru nuLLu
prEmatthin madhurima
mEmbodi thookikkOri
yOmane, viLambuka,
ninte yooNinnu nannaam.
sasyBOjiyenno nee?
saaramillithu there
nissaaramoru veRum hridhayam
kEdundalpam
vilayillathekiTTi
chandhayalninnum, naavi
laliyunnathO? chOrayi
littu kavithayaam