Aalok Thakkar: Poetry

To María Orosa

In New York,
My Malwani Fish Tikka arrives
On a small white plate:
Salmon, Banana Ketchup, Lotus Stem.
It looks beautiful, tastes just fine.
I do leave a tip.
I am glad I am in New York,
Where there is no war, no famine.

I no longer have to eat
A commoner’s catch,
A wartime sauce,
Or stems pulled from a cold lake.