The Recipe

  By T. P. Kailasam

Into a bare handful of bones and skin

Pour just an ounce or so of flesh and blood;

 Put in a heart loveful as Sea in flood;

Likewise a mind sea-deep and free from sin,

Fix on two jumboo ears,... two goo-goo eyes

 Paint on a smile of babe at mother's breast,

Inclose a soul that caps Himavat's crest;

And speaks with tongue which honey's sweet defies;

The "stuffing"? Goat's milk, soya-beans and dates,

Now, cover to brim with suffering human's years;

And bake this dish in gaol for one score years

Take out and garnish it with pariah mates,

 Wrap up in rag, prop up with lithe bamboo

And serve; The world Redeemer; Our Bapu.

(From the book "Light Of India" by M. S. Deshpande)