May 8, 2016 Daily Life, Ramblings and Musings

About my mother:

My mother is beautiful and I adore her.

She is the epitome and grace and goodness, of soul and lyricism.  She imbued me and my sister and brother with music, something which sustains us.

Despite her 8th grade education, she made sure that she supported and encouraged all of us to love learning.  And despite her non-fluent English, it was she who taught me to read and write – not my teachers.

She has lived through terrible privation and loss, and held her children aloft through those times.  Faithful and loyal to her husband, her children, her parents and siblings, defender of all, even those who sought to go her harm, she is a living Saint.  She has seen death up close, and does not flinch.  She does not fear.  She Loves, with a capital L.

She is my Goddess.

If I become half the person my mother is, I shall count myself fortunate.

 

Happy Mother’s Day, Amma!

Tags: #AboutMyMother, #Mothers'Day

May 8, 2016 Free Verse, Original Poetry

Beggars
©May 8th, 2016
By Vijaya Sundaram

The temple bells ring
And the air is filled with light.
The beggar sits outside
The gates, metal bowl clinking
With coins from grudging charity.
He sings of long ago with aching voice.
Milky-blind eyes see darkness,
Broken arms end in stumps.
The beggar sings of God and mercy
His sun-baked voice cracks
Like an old porcelain cup
Filled with sorrow, refilling
With salt tears, endless like a sea.
The cracks spread, the cup breaks.
The beggar lies there,
Surrounded by light.
People move briskly like water
Drawing in their clothing
To avoid touching him, as they
Walk to the temple, eyes
Fixed on their own Eternity
Seeking enlightenment.

Tags: #Beggars, #Inhumanity, #OriginalPoetrybyVijayaSundaram