Then....... Poem by Prathibha Nandakumar

Scared, the child asked
`amma, amma, will my cat
eat my rat? '

She assured, confidence personified,
`No.. no, its your cat
and your rat'.

`But.. but.. how do they know it? '

`They know because.. because...'

Oh god! why are children's eyes so
large and clear?

`Because the river does not drown its fish
and mountain does not gobble up the young ones
paying in its lap'

The child goes away convinced.

But doesn't that happen?
Doesn't the river drown its fish?
Doesn't mountain gobble the young ones?
Doesn't the flower wipe out
its own fragrance?

The tongue falters.
The broom is scared to sweep
the crumbs of dreams scattered
around the bed.
Fire refuses to burn
Wind complains of too much work.
The stars yawn.
Water wants to flow upwards.

If this happens what can be done?
What if the fish go on strike
and the leaves stop breathing?

Nothing can be done.
The tree is grateful to the bird
that rests on it.

She carefully spreads the wash on the line
and shivers remembering
how he always calls her the `mother earth'

Anything can happen at any time.