About Turn! Poem by Rajendran Muthiah

His ailing wife railed at him
when he spoke to some women
about the benefits of insuring life.
Whether they are good or bad
is not written on their brows.

She teased him often saying,
'You are old and your head is bald'.
He has been a sage for a decade
since her health plunged into hell.
' Am I just your wife? 'She often asked.
'No dear! You're my love first and wife next',
when he said, she would retort, 'You're a cheat'.
and tell his grown up boy that he was promiscuous
and ruin all the family's wealth. She banned his kin
from visiting his house and blared out,
if he went to his native village and stayed there.

To be off the life of sleepless nights
he left his house in the early morn
and travelled by Kovai Express (train)
with the thought of joining his love
who has been keeping her heart open yet.
Being absorbed in the flashback of his youth
he didn't listen to the usual talk of politics
or the cinema in the train.
He got down at the Coimbatore station
and walked slowly out with measured steps.
'After all, she wants to keep her husband
beside her, safe from the hungry womenfolk.
She would be going mad if she knew
her husband had embraced someone with love',
He thought it a while, took an about turn,
and returned by the same train to Chennai.
He was surprised to see his smiling wife at the gate!
'My God! Let her joy continue for years together'.