Monsoon Memories

Ending months of

sweltering heat

soaking the parched land,

The monsoon came.

We saw dark carpets

of clouds spread overhead,

turning the sky inky.

Thunder boomed,

lightning blazed,

electricity interrupted.

The backyard turned wild.

Weeds everywhere.

Earthworms, chameleons,

even snakes appeared.

Mosquitoes multiplied.

Flying termites swarmed.

Egrets carried twigs

to refurbish nests

atop tamarind trees.

I saw silvery rain puddles

on the taro leaves.

We planted peanut, beans

and pumpkin seeds.

From the rotted straw pile

sprouted delicious mushrooms.

From mango stones,

seedlings emerged.

Java plums ripened.

Mother made pakodas,

served with puffed rice

and obligatory ginger tea.

Now, as an immigrant,

monsoons are a memory—

but stir deep nostalgia.