A working mother of South India
Rushed into a speeding local bus
As a Coimbatore afternoon
Slanted its way to death
On an impersonal mountain-top
Of the uncaring Western Ghats
She had to reach home
Make tea for her man
Back from business
God knows what
And out of bed
After an afternoon snooze
With blood-shot eyes
And yelling kids bespectacled
Just back from school
Hooked to the TV screens
Watching meaningless comics
The bus sped past
Many a speeding stop
Where forlorn puppies wailed
For their mothers barbecued
On fuming tar
Where abandoned mothers begged
For food and alms
Their distraught eyes and stomachs
Afire like the summer sun
The mother had to reach
Her home neverthelsss
Make tea for eyes
Blood-shot or bespectacled
Tucking in her sari pleats
Perspiring all the time
Shaming Arabian perfume
That is Indian womanhood
Pause and salute her silent toil
The unfailing aroma of her sweat
you are refering to a very hard working mother. Peace be to her.
You are refering to a very hard working woman.Peace be with her.
I had goosebumps reading this poem I am a south Indian mother not a working mother though
A South Indian working mother often has double load to bear! In a patriarchal society, still male is considered superior and men think that cooking is exclusively a woman's duty, no matter she reaches home late, tired and exhausted from her work place! It is so nice to know that at least a few men are able to look upon these women with respect and sympathy! Enjoyed reading this!
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
That is Indian womanhood. Pause and salute her silent toil.a 10.