SIGNAL

When Kalu Das died young, his wife once signalled to me
I didn’t agree. So she was furious. At once she ran to complain
To the neighbourhood bully Laltu. “What sort of signal?” asked
Laltu. Kalu Das’s wife showed him, and Laltu agreed immediately.
Kalu Das’s wife was enraged, she didn’t want Laltu, it was
Me she wanted. Twice as angry now, she went to the local chief.
Another scandal – before Kalu Das’s wife could speak the man
Signalled to her. Flying into a temper, Kalu Das’s wife slapped
The local chief and stormed out. The local chief sent for Laltu
And told him what had happened. “What sort of signal, sir?”
Asked Laltu. The local chief showed him, Laltu returned warily
One day he told me, “That bitch Kalu Das’s wife has a swollen
Head. Don’t go signalling to her, she'll screw you. Sir had
Signalled to her, she didn’t spare him.” With great care
He showed me the signal. Then I asked Kalu Das’s wife one day
“I believe the local chief signalled to you?” She pretended
Surprise and said, “What sort of signal exactly?” Like a fool
I showed her and at once Kalu Das’s wife agreed.

SIGNAL