The dinner was served

I wrote a poem yesterday on a napkin and I wanted to fair it in my poetry notebook. So I went up but couldn’t find it.  I thought I had kept it in the place I always keep it, that is, my computer shelf. I searched the adjoining bookshelf but no, it wasn’t there. I then searched the side table by my bed because sometimes I get up in the middle of the night with a poem in my head and immediately write it down lest I forget it.

I asked my husband if he had seen it. No, he said. Oh, my god, the panic hit me now. Almost 100 poems lost!!! I had already lost about 60 poems when we migrated to Canada and my notebook was lost in the process, thanks to my hubby dearest. In fact, to assuage his guilt, he presented me with this green leather-bound notebook so I could start writing again. He was also feeling bad for me.

I searched every closet, every shelf even my purses. Searched the spare bedroom in the basement, even laundry room. Took out all the religious books from the pooja shelf. Nothing.

I was crying now, no actually howling. A part of me lost? Gone? I decided to never write again. I was inconsolable. I sent a message on my Whatsapp group if I had left it at somebody’s place. No reply.

I prayed, I read Tao book to calm myself. It was getting to dinner time but I had no appetite. I could not even think of food. So, my husband starting to panic now.  So he started searching along with me. I was too distraught to notice that then.

After about an hour and a half, I suddenly had an epiphany. I just got up, went and opened my drawer of my hutch where I keep all my napkins and table mats and there it was, its green corner peeping from under a pristine white napkin. I must have kept it accidentally after a recent party where I recited a few poems from it.

So, next time you can't find something, try to look in the place you least expect it to be.

By the way, the dinner was finally served.

Ha, Ha ,Ha