Parting

He’s left her and gone.
She’s all alone
in the nest they built together
furnished with Persian carpet,
upholstered sofa set,
a marble statuette,
and countless bric-a-brac.

Every item
reminds her of him –
bead curtain bought
on a holiday in Goa,
terra-cotta candle stands
from Pondicherry,
giant conch shells
from Juhu beach.

She goes up the terrace,
watches the sun set
beyond Bannerghetta.
She waits
with breathless longing
to join him
beyond sunset.