A23 Interview With The Dean Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

A23 Interview With The Dean

Rating: 5.0


It was on the last Thursday,
The Lady was likely to say
Or appear before the people
And do some kind of miracle.

Nearly twenty thousand
In that place, assembled.
They were curious to know,
And ready to witness this show.

It was like a grand festival
For all the visiting people.
The army was called in
To control the situation.

There were big lines,
For food, in the inns.
Bakers were too busy
Selling cake and candy.

The girl, Bernadette came,
To Grotto, at the right time,
Every eye closely watched her
And reverently followed her.

Guards sent a few people,
Close to the inner circle.
The usual ritual followed
As soon as she entered.

Washing hands and face,
Eating some fresh grass,
Next kneeling down,
Then praying and so on.

What all she did,
The people also did,
In absolute silence
In that crowded place.

After this last session,
There arose a question,
On the Lady’s appearance
Once again in that place.

Bernadette said, “Surely, she’ll.
This, later on, she’ll tell.
I’m sure she’ll come
And make this her home.”

“Did you ask her name
At least this time? ”
They were eager
To know from her.

“Yes, the Lady told
Her name, age-old,
‘Immaculate Conception’
In a whispering tone.”

After hearing this name,
Happy the crowd became.
Their loud greetings to the Lady
Went high up and tore the sky.

A stir, this name created,
When the clergies heard.
The Dean sent for her
And cross examined her.

This time she was bold.
Every answer she told,
Without any hesitation
Or any kind of reservation.

‘Immaculate Conception, ’
Perhaps meant Mary Virgin,
In which case for the Dean
To worry, there was a reason.

Without any higher sanction
From the Imperial administration,
It was an unlawful action
To take up church construction.

Besides her unauthorized action
Had shaken the entire nation
That was a crime blasphemous
And the most irreligious.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Sandra Fowler 20 April 2007

Both great joy and great sorrow, sunshine and shadow, mingled in this young girl's life and yet her faith was a light that never deserted her. She had the wisdom of simplicity. This no one could take from her. Very moving, Rajaram. Kind wishes, Sandra

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Rajaram Ramachandran

Rajaram Ramachandran

Chennai born, now at Juhu, Mumbai, India
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