Room-Mate Poem by Daniel Trevelyn Joseph

I have never sharer a room since I left
Mussoorie Academy forty years ago:

In Tawang Circuit House, I ‘ve been given
A room to share with Winfred Warshong.

Good, dynamic, but never stops talking,
And talks a lot about himself, no harm.

He was supposed to look after me,
But I end up doing things for him.

I can’t say I am unhappy for
I would have been lost, alone.

He is a khasi from Meghalaya,
He is a Christian, a Roman Catholic.

With Jumli Ado our protocol officer,
We three take drinks, and chat endlessly.

Warshong has done well for himself
Has poultry, a taxi and rooms for rent.

He is one brother to seven sisters,
Most of them in paramedical field.

He wants to set up a hospital,
He is cricket captain, plays TT.

His bosses regard him highly,
That is why he is sent with me.

With all my reading and experience, I am rather
Difficult to please, but, quiet, so you won’t know.