Strength

a poem by Hari (Hyd)

In her eyes I see
Thoughts that never end.
Fields pass us by- lush green
There are lives to mend.
His drinking had ruined
All chances of a decent livelihood.
For her children, she willed
To undergo any strife
This journey to the city
I sat beside her
Her eyes were misty.
No not with any tear
Every now and then she would rub
The balm onto her forehead
The ache would stop.
Sleep made those eyes red.
The sack of grain
A bag, a bottle of water
and an umbrella for the rain
The only belongings, she would gather.
Clutched the soiled notes tightly
Smiled at me
She spoke ever so calmly
Wanted to know what hour it be.
No pity she wanted
No rosy dreams of the future
she painted.
The present was true nature
The seat, the popcorn
and a peep into her life, she had offered.