The Scent of Mother
K. Padmakumar *
Mother!
I know you loved me.
I was like a chick
Just hatching out
And I grew up well-tended by you.
Your concern for me made you blind to other people.
Never did you call me by name: 'Yes, stupid' is all
You used as if you saw method in my madness.
Though I was already a married man and a father
You treated me like a child
Full of mischief and all innocent.
Mother, how great you are
To me!
How intimate you are
To my heart!
I do not appreciate it while you were alive,
After your death now
I do remember, and love you.
Very much.
It is years
Since I last saw you.
It could have been forgotten
But forget I do not.
I remember you today also –
You come in my dreams
And your appearances are deceptive.
My enthusiasm is not greeted with a smile of welcome;
I cannot fathom out
What a hint is dropped
By your seemingly hurt look.
Both life and death
Appear to be not real.
I saw my mother but for a moment
The next, she just disappeared.
At times, I do wonder
To think that I am;
Is there a time
When I was not –
Is it not a wonder?
(Translated from his late father's Manipuri poem Imagi Manam by K. Radhakumar )
* Poem written by K. Padmakumar which was published at Hueiyen Lanpao (English Edition)
This poem was webcasted on April 27 2013.
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