A Birthday Present Poem by Venkateswaran Krishnan Sreenivasan

A present on his birthday is a wholesome gift
For an only son; it gives a lift
To his affection and praise
For his loving father and mother always

What is in your mind, my boy?
Asked his mother; don't be coy
At sixteen you are mature to make the choice
Keeping in mind your need, think in poise

A Honda bike is my favorite choice, my mother
As a bonanza of your love for ever
Many of my classmates bike to school
And in the evenings to the swimming pool

The hero Honda to a hero's welcome arrived
With the promise of safety ad a healthy ride
Two years for a license was a long restless wait
The boy was impatient but never crossed the gate

Two years passed and our innocent biker was hit
By a speeding truck and thrown into a pit
Leaving the body mangled and maimed
In a pool of blood; mournful memories remained

The adolescent martyr adorns no fame
His name is legion and bears no slime
Engraved are his memories in our mind's frame
The loss to the nation is a lingering shame
Epilogue:
Happiness in life is part and parcel of health
It is not born of status or wealth
The toll of teen aged road deaths sounds alarm
Heed and act ere treasures are lost with immense harm