Pongal On The Rooftops

[Verse 1] Sugarcane stacked by the doorway Kolam chalk dust on my feet Paati stirring sweet in the kitchen Steam on the morning street New shirt Tag still itching Sunflower oil on my hair Cousins shouting over car horns Rice boiling over with care [Chorus] Happy Pongal Folks Raise that pot till it overflows Shout “Pongalo Pongal!” loud Let the smoke meet the clouds Happy Pongal Folks From tiny lanes to temple roads Hearts like harvest Full and close Happy Pongal Folks [Verse 2] Farmer calls out to his cattle Garlands bright on every horn Photo frames moved to the terrace So they can watch the dawn Jaggery crumbs on my fingers Drumskins talking in the square Even the quiet old radio Sings like it’s been repaired [Chorus] [Bridge] Here’s to the sun that found us Here’s to the hands that sow Here’s to the days behind us And all the yield to grow [Chorus]