Bar Bar Malabar

 

Across the length of (the one big) road in this curious State
That has no breadth to speak of (but that is a different debate)
You will see dhabas boldly named Hotel Malabar
Not Hotel Trichur, Shoranur or even a sprightly Munnar
No, not as often as you'd see a Hotel Malabar.

No Hotel Cochin, Kollam or even a Kasaragod
But a Hotel Malabar always lurks further down the road.

So, why the semantic pref you might ask with earnest will
Well...., these hotels only serve what doesn't quite stand still
Some beef and chicken and mutton, they all must verily combine
With a curry that burns the oesophagus and the small intestine
Garlic, ginger,pepper, chilli dropped for unquestionable taste
The final dish has complained at times about the undue haste..#

And Thekeveetathil Narayanan Krishnakumaran Namboodurry
Scans the menu with unease and the rapid serve of curry
Rushes out murmuring a forgiveness incantation
He has decided that he'll prefer the sane option: starvation.
"Food", I ask the waiter, "but please no bi or quadriped"
He nods his head and gets me tea and a Marie bisk-ed.

# based on heresay.  Never spoke to the final dish.