TENDERNESS
Watch speechless daughter hurt,
Denied jewelry, left her
dishes,
She is without food the entire
day,
Went to her bedroom to sleep,
Her mother informed reasons,
Shortage of money cost of gold,
Her mom conveyed to save costs
duly,
Assured to purchase the
ornament,
Adamant and inconsolable, she
wept,
Expressed her request is
belittled,
Claimed to be an unfortunate
girl here,
Lack sympathy and love feel
pittance,
Noticed her symptoms,
inconsiderate,
Lacking understanding,
irritated,
Her desire, passion, motivated
madly,
Forgot middle-class father and
job,
Meager income loan for a house,
Loan for vehicle paying
installments,
Her mom, a housewife,
tolerates,
Fewer complaints about her
clothes, cosmetics,
Those ornaments her father
gifted her,
At the time of marriage, old
jewelry,
Decades of marriage didn't
purchase,
A few shoes clothe her with
little savings,
Works day and night cooks no
servant,
She sweeps her home cleans
plates,
Clean clothes of son and
daughter,
Clean clothes of the house, including
ours,
Iron the dress of children
silently,
Her mini temple at home
worships,
Pray for the children and her
husband a lot,
No askance to the Lord or grace
her,
Thoughtful, moving emotions
touched,
Consoled the daughter, told her
everything,
She understood and had dinner
reluctantly,
Still, she was dreaming and
passionate,
Days passed into weeks, and
surprised,
She suppressed her anger,
silent,
Her friend visiting us changed
the episode,
She narrated her parents are no
more,
She a little brother got
orphaned,
It was a car accident that
shattered lives,
Her uncle has given shelter,
assistance,
For college education just
managed,
She wanted higher study lack of
funds,
Searching for a petty job to
sustain,
My wife listened to her story
intently,
Confided to her to provide the
fund required,
The girl was surprised and
started crying,
Hugged her tightly,
disbelieved,
This statement surprised me
too,
She told the girl I shall spend
my savings,
Her daughter was at a loss
frowning soon,
You have money for her, not for
me,
How could you deny the jewelry,
Giving consent to provide funds
to her friend,
Stern was a reply from my wife
calmly,
She is without parents worth
helping,
Being my daughter, you never
feel lucky,
Let her feel the help of a
mother, fortunate,
Be happy with your destiny, buy
yourself,
I felt tears inkling fought
hard to check,
A vain smile but failed to hide
solace,
My daughter was changed from
that day,
Asked her mother what to expect
from her,
Curt and crisp reply softly she
exchanged,
Tenderness, a dear child, feel
my presence,
Thank the Lord you are not
orphan lucky,
Less you require shelter from
your uncle,
Tenderness, mom explained, my
kid realized.
Pen: Bijayananda Mishra
Title of Poem: Tenderness
Themes: A child missed
realizing soft feelings
Written: 4th July 2023, Cuttack
@ Copywrite
