Age does not wither .....

Some folks have a special eye for visuals. Be they of landscapes, beaches, animals, decorations, food, and sometimes, even people. See all his work here.

One such below, that brought back some memories of a friend's mother, who lived with her in Mumbai, returned to her native land a few years ago, but is now no more.


(photo by Kavi Arasu)

Kolam
at the door,
and she appears,
with a
genuine
toothless smile,
vibhuti*** on forehead,
as you enter
her home
with her daughter-in-law.

Mumbai
doesn't
overpower her,
she takes it in her
slightly bent,
but brave stride....

And she
bequeaths you
a welcoming nod,
asks her
daughter-in-law
something in her language,
smiles at you
going in;
to emerge again
amidst aromas
of coffee,
and
homemade banana chips.

She bids
you get comfortable,
then settles down
by a seat at the window;
looks up
at the building
next door
rising to the skies;
hands pointing,
she beams,
and
you don't need
any language
to know
that it's a proud Mom,
pointing to the big office
in Mumbai,
of her favorite son....

*** Vibhuti : sacred ash from worship/puja

Practically Spiritual of Spiritually Practical ?

Content with the spiritual in the daily and routine. On reading this by Braja.


Freshly cleaned puja lamps,
Whiff of burning ghee,
Champas and jasmines
filling the basket
as she sits,
her tresses adorned
with the saree pallu;
For puja
in a world she thinks
is godly celestial.
A ear tuned to the cry
of a little one
searching for his mother...
She pauses mid puja
as she sees him crawl in
and break
into a toothless smile;
Into her lap,
with a cry
climbs her Krishna,
Her other hand,
holds the aarti.
Praising Him,
soundlessly,
amidst his gurgles,
for this real Puja
Of her life.....