Dear reader,

Welcome to Bookery, my weekly post on books.

I’m thinking about this poem on friendship old and new. New friendships have mostly been unrewarding, and downright dangerous for me.

But this poem? This poem is wonderful.

Red Brocade by Naomi Shihab Nye

The Arabs used to say,
When a stranger appears at your door,
feed him for three days
before asking who he is,
where he’s come from,
where he’s headed.
That way, he’ll have strength
enough to answer.
Or, by then you’ll be
such good friends
you don’t care.

Let’s go back to that.
Rice? Pine nuts?
Here, take the red brocade pillow.
My child will serve water
to your horse.

No, I was not busy when you came!
I was not preparing to be busy.
That’s the armor everyone put on
to pretend they had a purpose
in the world.

I refuse to be claimed.
Your plate is waiting.
We will snip fresh mint
into your tea.



If you’re in Hyderabad or Secunderabad, please join some old friends and me as we read poetry, talk about our work, and come together in support and joy.

It’s this Saturday, the 25th of October at Lamakaan.

See you!