You have a taker.

They say you are dark,

And yet would care

Their lashes and lock

Ever to be black.

They like to their heart

The Koel and the Tusker,

Dark though they are,

And would rather admire

The dark horse in race

And the black bull in fight.

To me you look no dark.

The solitary diamond

That radiates on your nose

Is far shining –

Like a lonely star –

From your new-moon face.

Whenever you grin

There forms a crescent

Across your cheek,

Flashing like a lightening

From the rain-cloud sky.

Your teeth are far milky.

Draped in lime-white voile,

With jasmine weaving your tress

And silver anklet

Circling your limbs,

You are a snow-clad peak.

No more are you dark.

I like you to my heart

Only because you are dark

And not though you’re dark.

Be assured you have a taker.

08.01.97, Palakkad