A BIRTHDAY

 

A BIRTHDAY

 

Probe life amazingly complex,

Myriads of hope desire index,

Born with no golden spoon,

Birth in a family poor distinct,

Human never chooses wombs,

The creator plays nicely unknown,

Accept birth later understood,

Succumb to reality, adjust well,

Abject poverty a curse enumerate,

The list of suffering pain is longer,

Hunger is perennial without food,

A thatched cottage, mud-walled,

Bamboo and paddy straws roof,

Sleep on a straw mattress, teenage,

In one room, parents, children sleep,

At night moon shines through the roof,

The room is lighted by sun percolates,

If Lord deprived us, siblings sad,

Crumpled our teenage dreams,

Burning utter hope reminds me today,

How much struggle in life but faced,

Successful in studies career found,

Inroad for wealth and fame opened,

Obscure unknown rustic boy no more,

A respected officer with attendants,

A few vehicles, driver, bungalow,

Furnished as life changed luxurious,

Parents with me, brother, sisters,

Relatives scantily recognized us, visiting,

Had in due course family children,

Birthday never could know to celebrate,

Wide circles of friends, kin, neighbor,

Converging gleefully to my residence,

The cake, icing sugar inscribed,

Happy Birthday and name candle lit,

Extinguish the flames instantly matched,

Loud claps praised showered happily,

Every year the moments I hide feelings,

Lived not with cakes but without rice,

This life is decorated with dress positions,

My wife knows me, my heart, holds my hand,

Fight my tears not to embarrass guests,

Not to disturb my children, parents,

The day, with a fine dinner, goodwill,

The man living in this frame remembers,

Wanted to celebrate a birthday alone,

Chance I got to meet a child on the street,

Playing with cycle tire torn clothes,

I thought he was my childhood starkly,

Called him to the footpath and sat together,

He was hungry has not eaten for a day,

Visited his home small hut under a tree,

Arranged groceries, cooked prepared dishes,

The child, his parents his siblings enjoyed,

The aromas touched me to reminisce,

I Jovially revealed my birthday to them,

The whole lot was happy, smiling, noisy,

We sat together on the ground, had lunch,

Sumptuous meal tasty the woman cooked,

Worth watching children's happiness,

Confide a birthday so happy grooved,

Their glittering eyes, smiles etched,

Waited for that day, guest my family missed me,

Passed that day with the child, his siblings,

Back home late at night intimated to my wife,

Understood, she hugged and wished me,

A birthday was a different heart celebrated.

 

Pen: Bijayananda Mishra

Title of Poem: A Birthday

Themes: Celebrating childhood reminisced

Written: 30th June 2023, Cuttack

@ Copywrite