Theme : Mother
My Departed Mother
by Dr. Manasi Dutt

Even in this mature age
As I turn a new life-page
I ask myself again
Who am I to begin?

The only truth I know
To my mother I bow
I am my mother’s daughter
That’s for sure
That identity of mine is purely pure

I gave my mother everything - my heart and soul
She was my goddess, I gave her flowers in a bowl
I told, Ma, tell me of anything you lack
She asked instead what can I give you back?
She gave me ‘faith’ ‘my priceless inheritance’
With money one could never buy this substance

Faith kept me strong
All life long
As strong as a woman can be
I roamed the earth all life long
Like a tiger fearless and free.

Ma laughed, clapped, said, that is the way it should be
Thank goodness my inheritance is not
A tiny room with toiletry.
My Ma told me you deserve more than a room
More than a house
More than a palace
As much as my two arms can embrace
With her arms the whole world she could embrace
That is what my inheritance.
Only faith could make it happen
I inherited the world
To make my soul
immensely bold
Shine my mind like gold.

It is peaceful to think
Now Ma is in heaven,
together with God
Who takes care of Ma
The way he does with a Diva.

When the shuktara star blinks at night
I know Ma is winking with delight.
We communicate all the time
Star to human the phone doesn’t cost a dime
I am my mother’s daughter I know for sure
It is purely pure.

Last year since Ma died
I feel lost
Ma said from heaven
Look at your side you will see my shadow
Ma never left because she is dead
She is with her daughter
Till her daughter’s end
That comforts me
With open eyes I see
The shadow by my side
Where my Ma stands with pride.  

March 4, 2007

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