Golgappe Le Lo…

(Though this poem is an ode to the much-adored, most common avatar of pani puri, the pictures depict options in cheese-n-chive, dahi lal mirch and imli-pudina sauces.)

Pani puri golgappa gupchup puchka, the much-loved street food of our nation,
with unlimited options on sauce and fillings, is always open to experimentation.
The crisp round deep fried puri in hand, crack open gently a small perforation,
in go ragda or sprouts or chickpeas, potatoes or boondi you choose the combination.
Splatter with sweet imli, herby green chutneys, dash of chat masala to kick in salivation,
and finally dunk it in the minty tangy water, now pop it in and submit to divine subjugation!

– Narendra Nayak © 2018