Could Be A Cruel Mother Poem by Rm. Shanmugam Chettiar

My husband’s mother loved,
Cared and nursed my son,
More than she did her son,
Pouring her sweats and time.

Someone caring my son
Must be a source of pride
To me beside a relief.
Yet I felt most perturbed.

The child grew under her care;
The child found a good time
To be found near her
With its back towards me.

The lady must exit.
She did as I planned.
The child fell sick and felt
Bad about her absence.

I’ve been much relieved.
The child has much grieved.
I became much spirited
And the child, dispirited.

The welfare of the child
Was not my concern, ho!
My sole concern was that
It was under my spell.


Aren’t I a cruel mother?
21.09.2008