A Simple Gesture
(From Mr. Nissim Ezekiel — The Professor)

As you hurriedly sip
tea from a cup,
worrying about my appointment...
I am getting late,
I can hear the heavy rain!

You too have noticed
the rain’s onslaught,
and proclaim you have an Umbrella!
I do not have one.
You tell me we can share it.

Mumbai
1998

Geeta Chhabra