Mahmud - by Shamik Banerjee

This is Al Mahmud, my valet,

who hails from Kas of Türkiye;

he serves me Çaykur Tea all day.

Each week, his brother, Ahmadi,

in Rize, who owns a farm of tea,

exports to Mahmud, barrels three.

Aysun; a baxter; his helpmeet,

conducts a bakehouse by the street,

of sundry items- sour and sweet.

She lives with their daughter and son,

and their grandma'am of eighty-one;

thusly, they lead their days- homespun.

There is no Chai meister as great,

as Mahmud in the whole estate;

he besteads me, I'm fortunate.

Whether Lahmacun or Manti;

Whether Zerde or Revani;

each dish he prepares handily.

Not just mavenry with cuisine;

or neatly minding of routine;

he has a heart, trustful and clean.

In ten years of his helpfulness,

he always wore his Kaftan dress;

praiseful has been his politeness.

Just one allowance he does need,

some days before commences Eid,

a month's vacation he does plead.

The future, for him, holds a test,

and that is Mahmud's long-dreamt quest,

to bring his family to west.

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Cover page by Jiaying C.