A Room For Living

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While growing up

I always peered into

the living rooms of others

Glowing yellow with ceiling lamps.


I always wondered,

what did they do in there?

Inside buildings and bungalows,

A designated room for living

with no fluorescent tube-lights


Seemed rich and unnecessary.

What did they speak about?

Was the TV playing foreign films?

Was there laughter too?


Did they worry when it rained

or sat by the window to see it

with a cup of tea and a book.


Was there a couch with an ottoman

of course, and a teapoy on a rug

A rocking chair too maybe?

Is that what one calls cosy?


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