Mother's Eyes Poem by Ch J Satyananda Kumar

Telugu original: Mahe Jabeen
English Translation: Ch J Satyananda Kumar

(Amma Kallu)

jeevita saMbaMdhaM tegipOyaaka
baMdhaalannee baMdhanaalae

kalala Saaluva kappukoni
naannatoe aeDaDugulu naDacinappuDu
ammakaLLu svapna nikshaepaalu

chekkiLLaloe valapu vasaMtaalu paMDiMchi
doesiLLatoe amRtaanni vaDDiMchae
ammakaLLU pikaasoe varNachitraalu

moggalu vicchukunae
rahasyaanni choosina arudaina kshaNaallaa
ammakaLLu adbhutavalayaalu

ippuDu
amma chuTToo aaMkshala saMkeLLu
mounaM aame sahavaasi

vaMTiMTiki jeevitaanni aMkitaM icchina vaeLa
pogabaarina
ammakaLLu adhivaastavika roopaalu

naalugu goaDala madhya
sajeeva samaadhi ayinappuDu
ammakaLLu niSSabda jalapaataalu

aksharaalu telisina amma
nirdaakshiNyaMgaa gaayapaDinappuDu
ammakaLLu bhaashakaMdani bhaavaalu

English Translation:

When the relationship of life is severed
All bonds are mere bondages only

Draping the shawl of dreams around her shoulder
When she walked seven steps with father
Mother’s eyes were treasures of dreams

Harvesting springs of romance in her cheeks
When she served cupped hands full of nectar
Mother’s eyes were Picasso’s paintings

Floral buds bloomed
Like the rare moments which viewed secrets
Mother’s eyes were wondrous circles

Now
around mother
Chains of restraints
Silence alone is her companion

In the moment she dedicated her life to the kitchen
Mother’s smoke filled eyes were
Surrealistic images

When she remained alive in her grave
Between four walls of her house
Mother’s eyes were silent water falls

When well lettered mother
Was felt ungraciously wounded
Mother’s eyes were expressions beyond language


(Telugu original published in AMdhraprabha daily September 13,1993)