Mamma
Mamma, what a lovely angel you are
Before I came into this world you carried
Me for nine gruelling months,
Morning sickness and throw-ups
Is what I gave when you conceived me
And innumerable kicks from within
Unmindful of your pain
You prayed for my well-being
When you gave birth to me
You weren’t spared excruciating pain
You took that in your stride to give me life
Those were the happiest moments in life for you
Moments you had already experienced twice
But that did not diminish your thrill of
Becoming a mother all over again
You wanted a girl, I came along,
And you took that stoically
After two boys, you were justified
In wanting a girl
But that did not diminish
your love for me
I was left bereft of a sister and
blamed you
Inwardly, foolishly,
for not giving one to me
In my infancy, I made life
difficult and tiring for you
You took that as a challenge
and gave me the best childhood
a child could ever get
Yet, which child is satisfied,
I asked for the moon
In my growing days, you were
my source of boundless energy
Yet in my failures,
I always took refuge
in blaming you for my lethargy
You took my selfish behaviour
with a wry smile
And put it away assuming it was
an adolescent’s innocent guile
It was not as if you pampered me
and didn’t spare the rod
Whenever you felt matters were
getting out of hand
You took control and spanked me
to show who’s boss
And when I sulked, you smiled
and offered me candyfloss
As a young adult, I began
to understand your sacrifices
How dame luck connives
and throws life’s unfair dice
You helped me conquer
my every weakness with flair
And taught me the value of
dealing with people fair
You were always there when
I needed you the most
Now, that you are not there
I feel inadequate and lost
I am learning to live and cope
like a hapless child again
Hoping time heals and I shall
my confidence regain
Mamma, I salute you
For the way you restrained
And sustained me.
May your soul rest in peace.
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