04-09-2013, 11:23 PM
A 'Bong' and 'Ilish fry'
It's a ritual,
serene,
divine.
The 'Ilish' cut into slices
resembling a peacock's gems.
The oil not just any,
but mustard alone will do.
Slip, slip, slip
in go the slices, dip.
Slush and splutter.
Golden and crisp
when they are done,
you can see the glowing pride in her eyes.
She takes a whiff and smiles to herself.
'Chole esho shobay' she calls.
The eyes get the privilege
to the elixir first.
The tongue is eager to savor.
It's a tradition,
a celebration,
a bond,
passed on from generation to generation,
a relation,
a 'Bong' and the 'Ilish fry'.
(Ilish is a fish found in the Bay of bengal and the Bengalis in India are crazy for it).
It's a ritual,
serene,
divine.
The 'Ilish' cut into slices
resembling a peacock's gems.
The oil not just any,
but mustard alone will do.
Slip, slip, slip
in go the slices, dip.
Slush and splutter.
Golden and crisp
when they are done,
you can see the glowing pride in her eyes.
She takes a whiff and smiles to herself.
'Chole esho shobay' she calls.
The eyes get the privilege
to the elixir first.
The tongue is eager to savor.
It's a tradition,
a celebration,
a bond,
passed on from generation to generation,
a relation,
a 'Bong' and the 'Ilish fry'.
(Ilish is a fish found in the Bay of bengal and the Bengalis in India are crazy for it).
~Neena