An Eternal Mother

- K. Roopa Kamath 

After a hard day’s work, 
The mother is tired, she is worn out, 
Yet, when she sees the sad and restless face of her sleeping children 
A helpless tear escapes her eye. 

Why, she asks herself, did I punish ? 
Somewhere, she knows the answer, as we know. 

All the while, sheltering and harbouring each child 
As a hundred year old tree, she is mother eternally 
Through the changing seasons, she has unselfishly loved us 
When she shivered in cold with her branches bare, 
She gave us twigs to light a fire. 

When she was impregnated by the handsome spring 
She bore the pain to give our senses pleasure. 

When the summer heat was burning me inside out 
She stood and provided shade to all 
When the angry God of rain and thunder fought 
She gave shelter to us protecting us from their rage. 

Yet when she saw the same children 
Lifting a saw to cut her down. 
How could she remain silent 
They need her now, lent after sawing her, 
they would need her forever. 
Yes, she had triggered the calamities 
That shook them all, 
Yet, she knew, as they knew, 
that she Would always be there for them 
An eternal mother. 

K. Roopa Kamath
No. 14, 6th Cross, Ramiah Layout, 
Chikkabanaswadi Main Road, Bangalore - 43