IPEN - A Northeasterner in Bangalore : Poem by Neelima Vinod

Ching chong choo

That’s his name ma’am.

The students laugh not at odds.

The teacher writes his name,

The real one, in the register.

She is afraid she will spell it wrong

Or that their relaxed laughter has split something

In someone’s heart.

The boy jokes, maybe aware

That identity can provide humour

That differences strengthen character,

Chisel edges, sharpen dreams,

Create resolve.

And yet,

He thinks, she spelt my name wrong,

And yet when I am late, they see me tread

From another land with a great wall

And I am wronged everyday.

Then humour is ugliness disguised,

Then laughter is the sound of disgust.

-          Neelima Vinod, Bangalore