How Are You? Poem by Raj Arumugam

Kelly at Coles draws the items on the belt
towards her and says,
How you doing?
The local man before her nods and the
transaction is done.
Why does he not reply?
Does he see it as a charade?
Does he see some truth the newcomer cannot see?
It's my turn.
Kelly at Coles draws the things on the belt
towards her and says,
How you doing?
The new man - that's me, smiles and says,
Good. Thanks.
(But Kelly is already scanning
and punching her keys.)
The newcomer feels strange. Perhaps he should
have nodded, look a little more natural and aloof...
Perhaps the next time the newcomer will...




(from The Migrant - notes of a newcomer (February 1997- July 1998))