Before driving from my parent’s
home back to Bangalore
I saw my mother,
behind me , at the gate
shining like the morning sun
an epitome of energy and enthusiasm
her face younger by many years
waving at me
she the go-getter
she, no more crippled by the pain of not studying beyond 10th standard
she, no more bound by the worry of what will others say
she, known as the Shantedathi, who helps all
she, the daughter of an ayurvedic physician
she,who has a name for every grass!
and she, who can cook the best food on the planet.
I then look at those young grass wildly clambering for the sun on the roadside
and at her face in the front mirror
my pride and my solace, my no-excuse for lazing around
she, who lost a son and yet found a purpose in living
with her man now learning to be more proud of her
they make a happy picture
she and he, living life to the fullest in 60s and 70s
making it best for those around
ha! pride swells my chest
to call these finest examples of strength, grit and gumption as my own.
Adhyapika 