Salute, O Mother! ! Poem by Sasikala Kamandula

Mother! Bends on to forgo her life
To bare a child, just to be called, 'Mama, '

Lights lamp of a Life at the risk of
Putting off the Lamp of her Life;

Oils body, pulls limbs to make him strong
Laying him on her feeble legs,

Massages safe healthy home-made bathing powder
To make him fair and glow,

Serves him in all walks, keeping it every minute
Clean and sweet and cute,

Keeps a black spot on the corner of his forehead,
To keep off evil spells;

Teaches him to walk, read and write
As the First Guru in the world,

Ignores her safety in keeping him safe,
Uncares her health in keeping him in good health.

Forgets her woes in the smile of the child,
Looks her beauty and glow in dressing him at best.

Staggers, stumbles, dashes, burns and bleeds
But holds him cozy, puffy and safe in her hands.

Enjoys pride in his name and fame,
Saves money for him renouncing her treat, comfort and diet
That might not go waste on her trivial life.

Reduced into ashes, she raises to bless,
'O my child! Bloom, zoom in Multiple, Forever! '

None in the world is as warm and shielding as She's!
And that mother rests in the warm hands of her Love!

She! She's my mother, Smt. VARRE JHANSI LAKSHMI,
Who's simply bold by name but for all,

Exploited by siblings
who shared blood and thread,

So hard at warmth that couldn't shelter her
Even a day before her death,
To the Lady, the eldest child of the house,
Seeking rest at her maternal,
But rich at loot of her blood-sweat docs!

O, Mother! The world bows to you!
And I bend my unworthy head in shame
At your unexpected fall in my poor lap!