A Mother - A poem contest entry by Pallavi Lumba

 The Golden Girl, she was called.  

She felt it was an honour.

She raised her kids as equals

& to be exemplary and compassionate beings.

Also outstanding individuals in their fields of expertise.

 

Her values reflect

In how her kids embraced

And cherish each other

A love like none.

 

Some kids loved her. 

They were willing

To lay down their lives for her.

To reach their mother

It was an impossible task.

As long as they were around.

 

She waited fervently

For them to return,

Triumphant in their endeavours,

An example of what they are is -

The love between a mother and child.

They keep her head high!

 

She's concerned about those children.

Growing under her watchful eyes.

They worry her for some odd reason.

She keeps her insecurities at bay.

The bond between them

Can never be blown away!

So, she thought!

 

She didn’t know

Impending was a disaster

At light speed,

Which was faster.

Never did she believe.

A day will come.

When a storm would erupt her life,

And change her course forever.

The day came indeed

The one from which

She never got over. 

 

Where once her children were an example

Of undying love for each other.

Today, some fell apart

Seeing this, it ripped through her heart.

 

Wonder she did - what it was?

That caused her family to drift away?

What could have stood in the way?

That tore her soul apart?

 

Displaying fortitude – in life's song

She was a woman after all.

She tried to stand tall.

But, the words spoken hurt her.

Didn’t they know – they questioned her upbringing?

 

She sought answers.

As she walked the narrow cobbled streets.

Seeing the frightening sight,

She gulped her sorrow

Telling herself, the new day is tomorrow.

 

At night, she stared.

Onto the night sky.

The stars and the moon remind her.

That she was the light.

Believe it - she tried, but her spirit was dampened.

Broken, helpless and withered she had become.

The doli of a sister - from whose house would she leave?

For festivals, where would she go first?

 

Is there a side to choose as a mother?

Which child would she have lost?

Who will she choose?

How will she choose?

How can she choose between her child?

Isn’t that asking for too much?

 

 

She felt as though she couldn't take it any longer,

A lone tear fell from her eyes.

And then there's another,

She broke down.

Collapsing on the ground,

 

Her anger could be felt

In the raging storms.

And her pain

In the thundering rain that pelted down.

 

Mother India wailed.

Crying her heart out.

Worried about her kids' safety and well-being.

Alone and lost, she felt.

Too many kids she lost so far,

She didn't want to lose those who were still around.

She yearns for her children to come together. 

To rebuild what was lost. 

 Will all her children become one? 

Mending her broken pieces,

She hopes so.

Or will it be too late to amend

And some of her children

In their own fury, burn her?

She hoped not.

Only time knows the answers. 

She was scared of what it might be. 

But she knew she had to face it eventually.

Nevertheless, she must believe 

That the future holds the solutions she seeks.