The Matriarch -Sheela Toshili Nath, Kerala
Once a brave matriarch
Now a widow with a failing heart
Faltering steps, feeble voice
Empty eyes wait for the final act.
Her three daughters in distant lands
Possess husbands and stately homes
They hover around her
It’s her 80th birthday!
Laughter and chatter
Speeches and songs
Food and gifts piled high
What a shabby rented hall, older than the birthday girl!
Like vultures eyeing the prey
Circle the three round their mother
Narrowed eyes and vacant smiles
Bejewelled hands with claws trained to tear
Death, that knows no bonds
Ah! So near and yet so far……..!
So true! Sometimes its just a matter of formality to lend some minutes of the ‘precious’ time to senior citizens and think that we are done with our part, or even worse, to think that we are representing humanity. Hands filled with golden bangles should look into the vacant eyes instead for proper introspection of where actually we stand in terms of humanity.
In simple words, the poem has brought out the emptiness surrounding many aged parents.
People who hanker only after material wealth dont bother about emotional bonding..
Intense emotions, deep meaning!