Washerwomen Poem by Raj Arumugam

Today, you know, after we've washed
these clothes, that bundle - but my mind is on
what we'll do after…yes, washing
these clothes we must apply ourselves,
you know - as we always do…but she said
before we left, return soon
and we can have chicken broth
Now that is something to look out for - what?
You don't like chicken? (Goat eaters like
you, you people are always unappreciative)
But after we've washed and dried these bundles,
we'll stop there - What? Who cares if you're
not coming! All the more of the chicken broth
I'll have myself then
and the bread they bake out in their own kitchen
(I'll save crumbs for you, if you want)
But we've been washing these now -
What, thirty years? - and we've put on more flesh,
and our backs ‘ve gone crooked
but a treat, that's what chicken broth and bread is
after a day's hard work, coming as it does
from her home and warm
What? You want to come now?
Well, what's to stop you?
…no one's disinvited you…yet…ha, ha, hey…
chicken for a goat eater!