CONJUNCTIONS: A Web Exclusive

SONG OF THE LITTLE ROAD Martine Bellen

Characters Apu -- boy of six Durga -- girl of eight Auntie -- "Father’s" mother, old bag of bones Oaf Mother -- disillusioned Father -- impotent same ol same ol Neekamel -- God Fruit has no name on it learning to love generously       Bamboo birds and girls in gardens Oil, salt, chilies stolen from the kitchen like a fork in the road the orchard is private property Auntie: Must I ask for chilies & guava at my age? And anyway, fruit has no name on it.                  The candyman always wants                  more than the sweets he offers                  He promotes desire, discord                  with his Halvah and fudge Mother drags daughter by her beautiful mane beads and seeds fall from her magic box -- cowries                  inadmissible                        desires                        dying’s                  the easy part                  like shutting off the projector and sitting in the dark Afterwards brother finds her precious booty. Neekamel keeps guard. Mother: This home is like living in the forest!               No one to talk to. We stop looking At the other                  Apu: There’s a ghost in the water. This is about monsoons                     towels                  her seeds                  buttons                        his                  sex Sometimes it’s necessary to leave home.