A05. Who Is That Lady? Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

"I saw the Lady,
Yes Mom, really, "
When Bernadette said,
Francis got annoyed.

In a stern voice he said,
"No more, you're a child,
To believe such stories,
Of ghosts and fairies."

"A person of your age,
Earns her daily wage,
But you fall for a Lady,
Not in her living body."

"No Papa, I saw her.
She was really there, "
She once again told,
In all words bold.

Sajou, their neighbour,
By then, knocked the door,
And she gave cooked meat
For all of them to eat.

After her came Croisine,
Mother of the sickly son,
Brought eggs basketful
As a gift for the meal.

Andre Sajou, the stonemason,
Who was the next man
To bring a bottle of wine,
For them to drink and dine.

The postmaster sent word,
Francis was soon required,
To join as a coach-driver,
In the vacancy of a mail-carrier.

When Francois had no work,
And Louise nothing to cook,
As boon these things came
Unexpectedly, all at a time.

Was it the Lady's miracle?
Could it really be possible?
All eyes looked at Bernadette,
Who was in a meditative state.

They thought she was sick,
Again with asthma attack,
And the mother gave her,
Some wine mixed with sugar.

It was like a festival day.
The day passed with all gay.
All went to sleep by night,
But Bernadette could not.

She was in the thought,
Of the lady every minute,
Like a stream, her tears flowed.
Her tender heart, it showed.

Marie, who slept next to her,
Noticed and woke up her mother,
Who took more pity on her
And tried to console her.

"It's quite natural, child,
To get such visions wild,
At the young age of yours,
But don't have any fears."

Her mother said like this,
To shake off her wild fears,
Still Bernadette shed tears
Just like separated lovers.

Louis stroked her head,
With a pity for her kid,
And a disturbed mind to consult,
Next day, her family priest.