C – Lily Pads and Pelicans

 

When Anusha was six, Baba terrified her by saying, “Lily pads hold souls of the dead.”
When Anusha was eleven, Baba said, “Go to Lake Kolleru. Catch many catfish. Your family is hungry.”
Casting her line amid the tangle of lily pads Anusha prayed, “Don’t let Naana or Ajja rise up and take me.”
The day was kind. She returned – stronger – carrying many fish.

At seventeen, Anusha married Nayan because he told her,
“Spot-billed pelicans carry souls under their wings,”
and she felt safe.

Baba died. Nayan died. Now ninety-five, Anusha wades through the lily pads
at Kolleru
to feed the pelicans.