Mothers' Forever Stay

When the storm raged Fell the trees, Lightening struck And cloud burst, Rain lashed on the roof And tiny white balls Gathered at our door; I remember how I would run With a pounding heart And hide my face in your sari folds Until the storm spent… left. You took me to the courtyard And pointed at the mango tree; See, the trunk, didn’t yield to wilful storm. It’s grounded with roots deep into the earth. The top shook like you. I nodded as if I understood. All I cared for was her nearness And familiar fragrance. As I grew old, her morning chants woke Me from deep slumber, and I lingered in bed Listening to her footsteps… reassured. Looking back, when life threw some difficult tests I had learnt to anchor myself in my breath. Now there are no sari folds But what she told Guides me through highs and lows. Mother, your little girl is all grown up now, Just because you showed her how. Pray mother, How did you always know What to say? Even today I can feel your presence For mothers never leave, They forever stay. a tribute to my mother on her birthday, written on 1st August.