A Familiar Tale Poem by Anamika Jayakumar

Here, a story I narrate,
May be you often encounter,
More than a tale,
Its life painted pale.

Apple of mom's eye,
Nor dad let her cry
Nurtured gift, like a princess
While dreams knew no fences.

As time unravelled to mesmerise
Splendid colours filled the canvas.
Life brushed pristine more;
They had everything to envy for.

Mighty set the malicious free,
The evil cast over the three
And fate had the worst done.
To impede the fate, there was none.

Days she saw wasn't enough
To read between; it was tough.
Among the flock a confused face,
Aching was to stand that maze.

Lay there mere sinew and bone
Nothing beside other than to mourn.
Leaving the portrait lame
Off went one from the frame.

There she saw dad fast asleep,
Unable to hint why mom weeps;
Those hands on which she sway
Until yesterday had gone far away.

As she begged all the credence
To claim her man's existence.
Fate they said, consoling the mother
Yet no word for the little girl to utter.

Taking off with a sigh
For that innocent bye
None could reply
For who knew whether to smile or cry?

Years passed by and now,

Blushed the beautiful bride
With her love there beside.
As she takes off for a new ride
Something she failed to hide?

Those eyes had a tear or two
Voice cracked in a different hue
For mom would now be alone
For the pale memories of that dad
Whom she lost years before? ?