Mom Without Funeral Poem by Narayanan Nair. P Perunthanam

MOM WITHOUT FUNERAL
Wrinkled face and the arms
Lusterless eyes, gray hairs
Protruded teeth and gums
At me sadly she stared.

There she stood gasping, lo!
Walking-stick pressed on road.
Areca nut leaf cap
Covered her tress of hair.

She stretched her hand weak
"Help me" feebly begged me.
Opening gate, I invited her
Who slowly followed me.

At home she sat at home
On stool at veranda.
Wife gave her snacks and tea
While I went to bath-room.

The Sun was setting down
Drizzling sky slowly dimmed.
I asked, "Your name, please, mom"
"Gauri" she uttered soft.

"Where you go? ", queried wife.
"To bus-stop, to stay tonight"
"You are from? , anxious daughter.
"Puthur", son dropped here.

"About children, ? "I asked.
"Five boys, two girls", Gauri.
"But none loves me". she paused.
"What a pity! ", we blinked.

Gauri wiped her aged eyes
Sighed and got up to go.
We advised her not to go
So she calmly sat back.

Cold wind cooled air around
Sweet Roses and Basil
Made it fragrant, healthy.
We invited guest to room

There we provided a mat
As she snored we left her.
Sharp cry made us get up
She was weltering there.

At hospital mom died.
From bag I got a phone
Doctor called the police
Who contacted children.

They came as police told
Carried her dead body
To Medical college
To avoid funeral.