Skywards

"Dear Mother," it said

"I am well here- More than happy,

Your son-in-law takes so good care of me

I can't even begin to mention.

Just the other day, he made me this kheer

Oh, how delicious! We are all happy here-

How are you? Is father alright after his first stroke?
Is he taking his medication properly?

Don't give him a lot of rich food, Ma. 

I know, I couldn't give the medical exams,

But it's alright, here everybody anyway calls me Dr Indu,

My mother-in-law, oh Ma, she never lets me

Do anything at all, I almost never miss you,

That's why the letters are so few and far between.

The fridge you bought us, Ma, oh it is the best.

They make falooda and serve it cold.

It tastes heavenly. I am so lucky to be here, Ma.
Oh, and now for the actual thing, I won't be

Able to write to you, Ma. All of us are moving-

To the States, you know, the big pink country

I used to show You and Baba on the atlas.

Letters take long to deliver from there.

Besides we're taking the phone and the car you gave

To remember you by, but your son-in-law said

Since you don't have a phone, I couldn't call you.

Farewell, Ma. Stay well. Give regards to Baba.
Iti, Indira."

Sabitri looked at the letter one more time 

She smiled, and then showed it to the portrait

Of her husband who died two years ago.

She then silently lit the stove, and watched the letter

Slowly being engulfed by the fire, wishing it would

Engulf her too, she looked at her bare bangle-less hands.

Neither her tears, nor the blotches of her daughter's

On the letter, did anything to douse the fire.

She knew to go to America, her daughter would go

Skywards.