Those were the days...! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
Kicking a small piece of broken earthen pot,
While playing on the roadside, hop scotch.
Or dribbling a ball and throwing it at a team mate.
Screaming as I fell, skidding on the roller skates.
Playing marbles with my kid brother, ten years old
Aiming at queen of carom board with one eye closed.
Trying my hand at basketball, hockey and table tennis.
One day, a bunch of us stormed into YMCA premises.
As there was no club exclusively for girls, back then.
Sir, we said politely you have to treat us at par with men.
Please be kind enough to give us forms for membership.
You are a sportsman, so how about some sportsmanship.
Next day, after submitting our forms, we were in the hall.
Awkwardly aiming and trying to strike a billiard’s ball.
It was so good in my country back then, now I see.
We knew no fear; felt so young, joyous and carefree.
[...] Read more
poem by Mamta Agarwal
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!
Home with a Soul
As you enter through the door,
And slowly step into the foyer,
You can’t help but exclaim,
Oh I am so glad I came.
The house was serene and vibrant,
I noticed as I sat in an instant.
It was decorated with love and care
To detail, with mix of modern and ethnic ware.
It didn’t seem to scream,
Please don’t touch me.
In the corner, a candle floated in an urn
The floor was adorned with a rangoli pattern.
It had quite a lived in look,
The shelves were lined with knick knacks and books.
Soft evening light was coming from outside
The view from the terrace was soothing to the eyes.
[...] Read more
poem by Mamta Agarwal
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!
Am putting in my papers!
While filling the form for credit card
Against occupation I wrote am a bard.
The clerk said Madam, your real occupation.
I blurted, work in a small organization.
Very challenging, have to multi task
It’s actually, I think, too much to ask.
Am in charge of child development,
Accounts, house keeping and management.
Mouth open and ball pen frozen in mid air,
He gaped at me from his ergonomic chair.
Wow, you must so much power wield.
It’s a 24/ 7 job in lab and the fields.
Have to juggle like a clown in a circus,
Many hats…one thing, it’s not monotonous.
You know a real challenge to my ingenuity.
He looked at me with awe and incredulity.
[...] Read more
poem by Mamta Agarwal
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!
A Lingering Fragrance...
Tiny little hands clasped my eyes
And a soft voice chirped guess who am I,
Who are you, sound familiar, let me see…
I won’t tell, how could you have forgotten me
I know she enjoys these games we play.
Oh dear, you have to give me a hint today.
She was happy and was trying hard not to laugh
And I went along pretending to be a little daft…
Soon the mystery resolved and she was on my lap
My daughter looking amused tried to take a snap.
Come on Anika, say cheese and give a nice smile,
Like a pro she posed, acting coy with those big eyes.
What took you so long my little angel?
Its school, ballet and homework she prattled…
Now I have vacation, so can I stay here?
I have packed and come, you know I care.
[...] Read more
poem by Mamta Agarwal
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!
Grass stands tall! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
How do raindrops balance on grass blades?
It seemed like stars had descended on glade.
Startled, I watched standing by a lamppost.
Undeterred by clouds, and earth played host.
Overnight the grass had gained inches in height.
I sat and looked despite mosquito bites.
You would have said if you were by my side,
They have tears of joy glistening in eyes.
Does grass have feelings, eyes and ears?
Could it be… music of rain it can hear?
Raindrops, tears or stars… whatever you name,
All I know is we have talked and shared.
For on that moonless, still, cloudy night,
I simply forgot whatever was on my mind.
I bent down, and am sure heard it whisper,
Oh yes, I have no doubt grass can speak and hear.
[...] Read more
poem by Mamta Agarwal
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!
Song of snow ranges
Song of snow ranges
Far from home, towering peaks and white slopes,
I gaped as sun rays quietly danced on snow;
Folded hands piously as mountains prayed.
Some clouds glowing, in bluest sky did sail.
Sun had traced patterns, myriad shape and size.
Shaded my eyes, with my hand, feeling a bit blind.
The rays diffused as the sun slowly climbed;
A glimpse of folks, perhaps of an ancient tribe…
A raven perched on far off hallowed peak;
It didn't seem to move or open its beak.
Heavens must have opened up while I slept,
In white satin sheets was draped rough terrain.
It was still, till I heard temple bell ring,
Resonate through the contemplating hills.
Despite layers of clothes my skin felt cold,
[...] Read more
poem by Mamta Agarwal
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!
Throw Caution to Wind
When I was down with a stomach ailment,
And was asked to abstain
From my favourite foods and condiments,
I didn’t complain.
When my blood pressure became too high,
And the doctor asked me to lose weight
So I could live long,
I thought money on the gym was well spent.
When I injured my back
I was asked to take bed rest,
It didn’t help
So I felt quite upset.
But now they tell me it could be cancer,
Because some abnormal cells they found during a routine test.
And have warned me I could be in danger,
But we will do our best.
[...] Read more
poem by Mamta Agarwal
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!
A tryst with fate! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
A ten year old with chilled water bottles in hand
Runs as cars halt, and traffic signal turns red.
On a hot sultry day, says to the lady, it’s a good brand.
Wipes his nose with his torn shirt sleeve, as it bled.
A kind man gently took him under the shade,
Uncapped and poured the chilled water on his head.
Drop by dropp fed him with spoon some lemonade.
But for the Good Samaritan, would he be dead?
In a short while, the boy came round, a lot flushed.
Looked at the elderly man, gratitude writ large on his face.
Son, rest a while, don’t go in Sun to sell water in a rush.
The boy lifted his hands and said, you came, its God’s grace.
Am the sole bread winner, as my father died in a cyclone.
Who can quarrel with what he ordains and wills…?
I don’t have the luxury or the time to sit and mourn,
Live in the past, or sit back and rest, when a wee bit ill.
[...] Read more
poem by Mamta Agarwal
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!
A Child's Instinct...
Whenever I think of my grand daughter,
And the memories I have built with her.
I draw on them for sustenance,
When my lips are curled in grimace.
The innocent expression on her face
Helps to dispel the weariness of my days.
When I talk to her on the phone,
She queries when I am coming home.
I ask her why you don’t come to spend a day.
She promptly says well I am on my way…
Once in a while when she comes to the house,
She sits on my bed and gives a tug to my blouse.
And asks me to show all my pressed flowers.
I don’t know how the moments slip into hours…
As I take out each flower from my scrape book,
Sense of wonder on her face is worth a look.
[...] Read more
poem by Mamta Agarwal
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!
In a languid mood! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
Chill crawled up my spine like a slithering reptile.
Hugged my patchwork quilt and just lay supine.
Drifted into fitful sleep, and woke with a start.
Bit disoriented, dawn or dusk, it was dark.
I think I was caught in a sort of time warp.
It took a while to shake off and grasp,
Dusk was singing a dirge, felt appalled.
Alarmed got up, before my thoughts snowballed.
Picked up some logs, as the mercury falls.
Fever had taken its toll, so picked up a shawl.
Glanced out of window, lawn draped in smog.
Home was wrapped in silence, loneliness stalked.
Strange, always craved for some quiet time, space
Just catch up with myself, till small arms embraced.
And trill, do I smell my favourite pasta and bread.
Please, after dinner you tuck me in bed.
[...] Read more
poem by Mamta Agarwal
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!