Just Born Today Poem by Ramesh Iyengar

Just Born Today

Every morning is my birthday.
The sun greets me from the east (as I rise from my cradle)
The chill, blowing breeze says ‘hello’.
A crescent fading white moon on the west, giggles at me.
I look at the sky’s horizon, breathing fresh.
The sweet mynah, kuil birds sing welcome notes.
The morning has its sounds: Servantmaids sweep housefronts with broomsticks,
splash water, draw kolam designs and welcome flower-sellers.
The fresh, brewed filter coffee from stove spreads heavenly aroma,
The folded newspaper to announce me news (as if I were new to this earth)
The village man mounted on rickety bicycle,
shouts and sells greens, those wet bags, filled with bunches of nutrition,
the regular day begins afresh.

- S. Ramesh