Promise of a New Year

breaking dawn
ring-necked parrots
unzip the sky
 
Another year begins with hopes, wishes, prayers and promises.
 
liquid gold
sunlight slides sideways
on black granite
 
The kitchen buzzes with the scent of freshly ground coriander and coconut.

 
Laughter and conversation, meld in a crescendo.
 
clink of cutlery
everyone reaches 
for the pappadam tin
 
Mother brings a tray laden with katoris of payasam.
 
long siesta . . .
woken up by a loud
election song