A38 War Broke Out Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

A38 War Broke Out

Rating: 5.0


Lourdes City was concerned
About Bernadette, its dear child,
As there was no news about her
Even thro’ any newspaper.

The Mayor sent his secretary.
Followed by her sister Marie,
Along with other kith and kin,
All led by Father Pomian,

It was a good gathering
To see one fine morning.
They exchanged greetings
In that happy meeting.

They talked about their past,
How the time moved fast,
How Lourdes had grown,
They missed her and so on.

They saw her paintings,
Also colorful drawings,
And praised her imagination,
That was beyond description.

After they were all gone,
She reverted back again
To the same old routine
Art work one by one.

At that stage, war broke out.
The French soldiers fought.
They faced defeat after defeat,
Besides their Emperor’s arrest.

The emergency need was
Hundreds of nursing sisters
To take care of the wounded
In the hospital wards.

Bernadette also volunteered
Though she was prevented,
Because she was very weak
After the last asthma attack.

But she was more concerned,
About those sick and wounded,
Rather than her own health,
Even if she had to face death.

Her spirit of sacrifice
At that hour of crisis
Was so high, they felt.
She was born for it.

The Mother Superior,
And her former teacher,
Sarcastically asked her
Why she was popular?

Bernadette simply smiled
Her left leg she then showed.
Like that of a child’s head,
A big tumor got exposed.

It gave the Mother a shock,
And she stood like a rock,
Motionless and speechless,
On seeing her real kindness.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM

Rajaram>>>Gripping, powerfull work, my friend...Grand imagery...Syncopated Rhythm & Rhyme scheme...Solid wordsmithing.indeed. FjR

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Sandra Fowler 05 May 2007

Bernadette's faith sustained her in spite of her fatal illness. She knew a better life awaited her. As the Scriptures have said, Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. Very moving poem, Rajaram. Warm regards, Sandra

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Rajaram Ramachandran

Rajaram Ramachandran

Chennai born, now at Juhu, Mumbai, India
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