Poetry

Waiter, oh waiter a voice I heard
Coming upto me from a baldy sat
In a corner holding his felt hat.
"Can't you see Yusuf, my master cried
A customer is for you there waiting
And oh rascal what you are doing?

On that day I was somewhat sad
And had a plan for me to decide
Whether to work lifelong as a waiter
Or to leave it for an occupation better.
Night I spent by weeping on my fate
Day dwaned before  decision I could take.

Same day on 5 th storey I went at night,
Entering the room I put on the light.
There I found Rita as if she was dead
My master moaning sitting in a chair.
He was horrified at me when he looked,
Come Yusuf, help me he said with a tear.

Till that time I was the only waiter,
A confident of my millionaire master.
Being a confident I had each report
Of my masters' business on the port.
Morover a smuggler and a blackmailer
I did smell him then as also a murderer.

For the sum of Rs five thousand net
I helped him and then didn't hesitate.
At the midnight from our cafe Orienta
We then cleared off the body of Rita.
My master gave me at once the sum
I too did agree to remain dumb.

Since childhood I did see murders
And also assisted in such cases many.
So Ritas' homicide was not a wonder
Or shock and it was a matter too silly.
But my master did not forget it
And since then he began to me hate.

One day he said I wish to clear
Your all accounts just to you clear
Off from this cafe which is mine
And Yusuf I know your nature is divine.
With good capital you 'll leave the city
Soon somewhere you 'll get position pretty.

For my master I had little pity
So guessing his condition I agreed
With him to take all my money
In cash from him and to go away
From that buxom city, as he said
Why he intended it he then told.

Rs fifty thousand my lord gave me
Saying "my Austin too is nor free
So dear without any hesitation
Take it n go to any other city.
To see your comfort is my duty,
To hide truth you take precaution".

A coquette and society girl Rita was
So for no one there was any cause
To notice Ritas' sudden disappearance
From the society using prudence.
It was the secret only between
My lord and me, her death who had seen.

_---------Ratnakar D  Mandlik