Christmas Cakes

Before the clock struck eight this morning,
Anu had summoned an auto-rickshaw to the house.
We were off to the local shops.

On Christmas Eve, as soon as the bakery opens, I buy Christmas cakes.
It’s a bulk purchase:
for ourselves
and for small thank-you gifts,
to the many people who, with Shaji Dalila and Anu, keep our household running smoothly throughout the year.

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Pictures taken in the Muslim Bakery, Kunnumpuram, Fort Cochin.