By Vaidya Shankar
Mom,
I have seen you from my childhood days,
The light that glowed in your eyes, like sun's rays,
The light of unselfish love-whole,
Brilliance straight out your Soul.
I see you now with anguish,
The light in your eyes about to extinguish.
Dementia has your mind damaged,
Your ethereal beauty is ravaged.
I am your caretaker unpleasant,
I rave at you, sometimes rant,
Frustrated at your helplessness,
Self-pitying myself in selfishness.
All the time however, I am amazed,
How you remain calm, unfazed
Probably chanting your mantrams,
Which help you bear my tantrums.
Then I see a miracle glorious
Amidst my toils laborious,
That which changed me for ever,
Your love showing its power.
Seeing me sob in self pity and doubt,
Your feeble hand gently reaches out
And tousles my hair silently,
Like you did in childhood, lovingly.
I was able to see your eyes again glow
With love, very briefly though,
But it was enough to teach my heart,
To give unselfish care, till death does us part.
***