My colours are painted
By its coastal palms,
Sugarcane beets
Bright summers
Juicy mangoes.

My music notes are from
Noisy oceans
Rough monsoons
Chatty neighbours
Urban cattle moos.

My emotions are built on
Joint families
Vacation sleepovers
Boy-girl rules
Arranged marriages.

My anger is borne out of
Its unrelenting humility
Callous selfishness
Flexible morals and
Misfit superstitions.

I’m an honest Indian.
Sometimes thankful,
Sometimes ashamed.
Sometimes hopeful,
Mostly proud.