He Had Promised His Li'l Ones Poem by Jaishree Nair

Set out to confront the raging torrents.....
With the fishing net rented...
Hoping to make a catch enough..
To feed three empty stomachs back home.

A week of confinement
Heeding the warning local;
The sea rough and raging
Now forced to venture desperate.

He had promised his lil ones..
At least a mouthful of grub;
Young eyes with hunger beseeching....
His two kids and uncomplaining other half.

He stood hesitant for a second;
Cautioned by the huge breakers threatening;
The terrifying deep struck fear...
But then he had promised his lil ones.

Quickly untethered his boat;
Love for his family foremost...
Bracing to face what may....
Deeper and deeper he ventured.

Repeated attempts in vain-
The vision of meal a pain
Haunted by the starving faces back home
Reminded he had promised his lil ones.

All energy into the final attempt;
Exhilarated when felt the tug,
Pulled with all his might-
But the telltale fin of the dreaded glimpsed.

Realised the danger lurking,
Let go the second alarmed;
The sea raging crimson....
In the battle between man and the beast.

Though tossed and thrown,
He fought to survive;
An excruciating pain shimmered
Felt life ebb away.........

Slowly he slipped into the......
Comforting arms of eternal sleep;
Last thought remained with him.....
He had promised his lil ones........! ! ! ! ! ! !