I know migrants when
They are at home
They all have names and
Are not migrants at all
But farmers’ children
Neighbours’ children
Kids I have seen grow up
Kumar’s son Vijai from Valagapattu
Works at a garage in Coimbatore
To make some money
But also to learn the ropes
To set up a garage of his own
Nearer home
Potti’s son Raja from Gundiyapattu
Works on an estate near Mysore
Like his father did before him
To make some money
Like his father did before him
To plough back into the land
Like his father did before him
Perumal’s son Tamizh from Pachaipalathivalavu
Works as an Amazon supervisor in Madras
To make some money
To break away from here
To break away from home
To break away from
What his father did and
What his father did before him
Vijai, Raja, Tamizh
Three young men
Three different dreams
On hold for now