Grand father

Grandfather
 

 


Sitting in a semi- circle around the Sandhyadeepam
Reciting from Ramayana and Mahabharatha
Listening with awe and interest
You filled in us ideas and ideals
Lying in an arm chair
Close -cropped hair, closed eyes
The thumb encircling the middle finger
You inculcated values in us
That was long time back…

Initiating me into a world of letters through husk and bran
My fingers in your hand
Drew pictures in my mind ….
Indelible…..
Like grooved letters on the palm leaves by iron stiletto
Of Christ Who taught us to pray only for the daily bread
Of Krishna who advised ‘work is worship’
Of Buddha and his kindness
Of Allah and his greatness
Filled in me knowledge as power, light, solace and exhilaration
That was long time back…

Times when values were values
And greatness of mind was the greatness of man
Ruled the village folk
You the King and I, the Princess
Judged, advised, helped, directed
They were happy…
We too….
That was long time back

On the step of the pond
Gaping at my granny
The grey hair and the hanging breast
Dancing with the ripples and the water weed
Wet cloth round her waist
Returned to prepare your ‘delicia’
Of betel leaves with mortar and pestle
Cherishing the times we were together….
That was long time back…

And now………
On a bed of arrows…
You remain a Colossus in my mind
Trying to fill us with inner strength
Urging us to go up and up
To see boundaries disappear
To feel humanity as a whole

Not a Christian, nor a Hindu
Not a Muslim, nor a Buddhist
Who am I?