To my Septuagenarian Mother

Mom

Born as the 5th Star amidst July rains

Into a family that traded precious grains

They had their journey to make, her aside 

Leaving her with siblings to adore and abide

 

Care was plenty but guidance rare

Had to gently fight for rightful share

Grew up curious, to unlatch the door

Hatching a plot to explore the more

 

School was an option, not a must

Raised her voice lest door stay shut

Gathered her troops against naysayers

Found herself voicing assembly prayers

 

Knowledge meant freedom, philosophy beckoned

Will keep going back for more, she reckoned

With her friends, it was mayhem every second

Pre degree, Degree and Masters she did ascend

 

Wedding bells was her signal to flee

Found a job that brought her glee

Ringing in her time in Delhi, Banked

Met a man she knew was God sent

 

They spend their best years bonding 

Bike rides and long strides confiding 

Fell in love amidst graceful candour 

Promising to share her endless banter

 

Wedding bells sounded musical this time

Though they still feared the need to flee

Waded through the resistance that ensued

Making it official, was the goal they pursued

 

Love grew and they accepted parenthood

Inviting twin boys to their caring hood 

Home tucked away in sweet city corner

Fascinated to see them two grow taller

 

Him and her, together moved to cities new

Packing their kids along as they grew

This life was too good to be true, she felt

That feeling was vindicated Overnight

 

Shaken faith, Broken bones, and his funeral 

None of these She hoped she would ever feel

As she drew the line before and after

Made up the rules for life there after 

 

Told herself to pick up the pieces and stride

Shocked to see friends turn foes in the tribe

Sympathy and few echoed “She is Doomed”

Clearing out froth from milk amidst the gloom 

 

She put her life on hold to see us through

Tough times she navigated, often alone

We would testify, she aced motherhood 

Holding his love and transcending his principles 

 

She let us be, but gripped an end of the string

Steered her boys to becoming responsible offspring

Her faith grew back, as she saw glimpses of him,

His values and our will to hustle to the brim

 

Said goodbye to see us grow and soar

Beamed with pride, as we chased our goals

Her prayers and guidance gave us flight

We never looked back and were up for the fight

 

Married her men to adorable hearts and homes

Effervescent when they adorn family chores

A Grandmother, she had her next milestone

Tanvi, Zoe and Aryan now her cornerstones

 

Today, as she looks back through these years

She will pat herself and say well done my dear

Her life is an example, an inspiration for it is 

one being lived on her own terms without fear

 

This year as she turns 70, hope she is reminded 

often enough that she is our most precious grain,

Knows we would be nowhere without her and 

how glad we are that she chose us to be her kids.