HOUSE

by Antonio Gomes, MD



House: of cement and stone
blood and tears
whitewashed, rain washed,
with streaks of red, blotches of green,
a balcony with pillars of vermilion,
walls of indigo and saffron yellow;
elegant verandahs and halls
with windows of oyster-shells
and gothic arches.
Rooms full of people,
more servants than masters.
Black stained wood, carvings
of lotus flowers, traces of the West,
remnants of the Hindu past:
the raj angan, kuddi and vasary.
Chinese plates and vases:
Cantonese and the Ming,
portraits of bygone Batcars.
High beds in bedrooms with
potties of China, elegant urinals.

House: of Catholic fervor,
remnant of the Inquisition.
A prayer room, a private Chapel
for weddings and Sunday Mass.
Saints of ivory, crowns of gold,
a gem- studded crib for the infant Jesus.
The rosary at eight for young and
old and the sprawling servant class.
Amid the loud prayers, a child's giggle,
an old man's snore, a fart.
The Novena to St. Philomena
sung by the household.
Then the big feast
with Sorpatel, Cabidel
and neon lights from the Petromax


House: of jewels
platinum, and gold,
rubies and emeralds,
pins and brooches from Lisbon,
necklaces from Rajasthan.
A jewel set for the shy bride
of platinum, diamonds and
filigreed gold crafted by the
local goldsmith, western design.
A lavish feast, pomp and
Goan glory where the
Portuguese Governor feasted
on turkey and raised a
glass of port to the chorus:
"Viva, viva, viva India Portuguesa."

House: now naked
Empty rooms
inhabited by the wind.
The saints of ivory looted,
sold to European tourists
at Christi's their new abode.
Stained silk, dusty furniture
of what remains of what
was sold to pay for the
drinking habits of the son
that could not take hold.

Noble house: inhabited
by ghosts: in stained pajamas
and faded robes, remnants
of the old Colonial world.



Notes::  Raj angan, kuddi and vassary: A pillared space within the house,
opening into a garden and connecting to rooms; and a ritual dining room connecting to the family chapel or alter (trans. from the Konkani). Batcars: landlords, (trans. from the Konkani); Sorpotel, cabidel: special Goan dishes; Petromax: a pumped kerosene lamp (trans. from the Konkani).