I saw her face upside down
As she wrapped me in her veil-wide and white;
A doll of widow-hood;
She pounded my navel with her palm;
Round and round; and applied oil;
May be of mustard of our land; .
I twisted my limbs in sweat pain;
And grabbed her fingers; .
They tickled me below my belly.
Now, she hung me upside down;
Over her lap, pleated and coiled.
She kissed my feet.
I reached for her dried up breasts;
Hung upside down;
The faces of my ancestors were itched
On them; like tattoos.
Her head lay on my lap;
As a sacred banyan;
Threads of untold miseries hung,
Like serpents around her waist.
I felt her pulse fearing that
She might get burnt alive;
As she had been for years;
The whistle of the approaching
Train made me weep;
On the perfumed shoulder of my mother.
idon't know where to begin...you axplained it so beatifully, i deeply related to the images in your poem, reminded me of the time when i sat in my grandmother's lap and played...thank you for writting this poem
An honorable poetic tribute to your grandmother. A fine piece.
Appreciate the great tribute to your grandma. I felt like being in the lap of my grandma on reading you. All grandmas are blessed with a heavy stream of love for their grandchildren. Thank you alp....
Thanks for reading and giving such a wonderful comment Sir. Feeling inspired.
Thanks all for giving time to my poem. Feeling honored for getting wonderful reviews. My gratitude.
I love poems written about grandparents. Grandparents are very special. A very sweet poem Tiku. I really enjoyed reading it.10+
Ι lived vividly memories beloved through your poem here, dear Tiku.
It's a wonderful poem. I particularly liked the expression- 'A doll of widow-hood'. I appreciate how you expressed your deep feelings for your grandmother. Appreciate the feelings of gratitude. I have a grand daughter, now 16 months old. I love to play with her, talk to her, sing to her, and as your grandma did to you, massage mustard oil on her body and navel and we sunbathe together. I love to watch her grow day to day. Your poem has brought home to me very intimate feelings.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Ouch, i am not hurt but touched...It was pure heart talking, love the imagery :) sweet heart describe through this sweet write for the sweet past that will forever be sweet memories...So fair to say 'Sweet chains'_Unwritten Soul