An Unanswered Question! Poem by Namita Rani Panda

" Can I have that bulb with the glistening purple papery coat?
With that I can gulp a bowl of rice upto my throat! "

" Be happy with this damaged one, my little one!
Those golden oval ones promise good coins
that ensure our survival and good harvest for the next season! "

" Then Papa, promise me, surely I'll have one in the next season!
I'll relish layer after layer with a great satisfaction! "

" But we've to toil hard for months till dusk from the dawn
to make the land fit for cultivation"

"Don't worry, isn't tilling the land as interesting as a game,
I'll lend you a helping hand to taste that tasty bulb so golden! "

" Get up son! It's already dawn,
We've to loose the soil with rake before it's morn! "

" How sweet was the dream of relishing that oval bulb so brown!
But I must work hard to materialise this dream! "

"The sun is so hot and the soil is so hard!
Can't we cultivate Papa under that shade? "

" An oval healthy golden bulb you don't need?
Stop talking and clear the weeds,
To have a good harvest mix the compost
Hold the string straight to make the line perfect
It's not turmurick to grow in the shade
They grow better in the sunny land."

" Okay Papa! It doesn't matter may the sun beat harder and harsher
My bulbs should grow golden and bigger! "

" Look Papa those tubular leaves look so greener,
The bulbs underground must be matured and tastier! "

" My chlid, wait with patience for another month,
if you wish to relish the tastiest with full mirth! "

"Now the leaves are yellow and fallen over,
Cracks on the base begin to appear
Let's pull them out with a little labour! "

‘ No dear! Do it with utmost care
Don't plea that your fingers are tender!
See not to damage a single one
the more healthy bulbs, more the coins! "

" So happy I'm to see my dreams in heaps,
That I can touch, smell and with a satisfied belly I can sleep
I'm sure Papa, your promise you'll not forget to keep."

" My Son! Please wait for the next season!
This damaged one has the same taste as those oval ones! "

" Why did you give all oval ones to that man in the van
leaving only the damaged and immature ones?
I listened to your hushed conversation with mom,
You are unable to repay the interest and loan
They bargain our dreams and pleasure,
Invain is our months long hard labour
Will a season ever come
When the kid of a farmer can taste an oval onion
With full satisfaction? "
Asked the boy wiping his tear
With his small rough fingers
A question difficult to answer!