It's another cold and beautiful night of bliss;
The chai wallah warms his hands with bated breath.
The time is upon him in this little world of his,
'tis time to share a laugh and spread a little warmth.
He heats his lil cuppa, fiddles with his pois...
The band of travellers should be upon him not long away,
A haunting tune he whistles of memories galore..
Ever searching the horizon for the sign to share.
No sooner said, he hears the jingle and the rattle,
Laughter of a joke told often, Tears of a story told less...
and he smiles; a smile that knows, a smile that feels,
They are here; some known, most unknown.
Acknowledgements arise, great wonders galore...
The time is now, to preform his lil ditty;
a strong shoulder to bear the brunt,
fingers nimble for the trick without the treat.
Throats are whetted, hearts are warmed,
Memories are hushed, Dreams are bright, Fears are swept...
This is the tale, this is the poem, this is the legend...
A stop-gap hero he is, a part-time lover he is.
He likens himself to an oasis dreaming of the beach,
Like a rock he is there, come God's chariot;
like a sponge he is there, to seep the Angel's tears;
Like a broom he sways, for the Devils tricks;
Soon the time has come,
the ditty has to end, Promises are etched;
Vows are made, Bonds are broken;
And the travellers head for the end of the rainbow;
The chai wallah cleans his cups;
The chai wallah polishes his pois;
The chai wallah hums his tune;
The chai wallah smiles that smile;
For the smile says it all,
The smile that knows, The smile that feels...
~Arrivederci
