Few years ago,when the
internet was not a rage,
I sipped my morning coffee as I flipped a page,
I waited eagerly for the newspaper boy ,
and to pounce upon him was not a ploy....
when he arrived a few seconds late ,
to take him to task,which I now elaborate ,
Why the heck are you not punctual ? I would say ,
Care do you ? if my routine goes awry,I pray !
In the midst of a skirmish, the day had
just begun ,
the aroma of the bean was spreading under the morning sun.,
The elders were restless,waiting for the brew ,
and I was anxious,the headlines were out of my view....
Repeatedly I'd say " I
know to read and I make myself clear,
those who read aloud to me ,black and white ,please can you hear ?
shall be subject to a treatment,they can ill afford to dream ,
pack I shall lunch boxes only with buttermilk rice without the cream .
My warnings would fall on
deaf ears and I rose from being a rebel ,
i dreamt of being , to a compassionate and a loving angel .
They flung the papers,they played “Relay” as I watched helplessly ,
it was a lost battle that I was fighting for,everyday hopelessly ,
The newspapers were
exchanged,and I looked on ,
I was aware of all the headlines for the new morn.
I was down but not out as yet ,
I was still reigning you bet....
My little girls were
getting ready for school,
and I sang along with them “Have you any wool ?”
I would pull them up for an incomplete assignment,
or we would talk freely about a Science experiment.
How I wish I could hold
those tiny hands,
independent now, they have a task in faraway lands
Almighty Lord! bless them! Keep them safe and secure !
A mother has forgotten the pains she once did endure.
With colourful bands,I tied
their hair in piggy tails,
Ouch Ma ! it hurts,they cried,in screams and wails,
I ironed their clothes and smothered
them with baby powder,
Aah ! my outpouring now seems to be getting a little louder.
I helped them with their
projects and daily lessons,
chaffeured them to classes for dance and music sessions,
The day was done and happily I would put them to sleep,
“I am yet to see today's paper,”that would be a constant beep.
Today,although I have all
the time on my hands,
Yet ! Forgotten I have the art of making braids in strands,
They taught me to read and write and with them I grew,
I have a lump in my throat every day morn as I savour my brew...
Today I get to read the
newspaper first,my girls are busy now,
The empty nest syndrome I suffer,Oh ! How !
I wish I would rather not scan the newspapers, I sigh !
the tears drop on my key board and I cannot lie.........
