A Grandmother (On International Women's Day)

On International Women's Day

A Grandmother

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Wearing the barked face, she searches for her eyes

to read her destiny written somewhere on the wall

invisible from her.

Creates ripples of laughter sans dentures

she is not the one, to mind

like a banyan tree, she stands tall

to give shelter to each and every kind.

Branches broken, leaves blown away

yet happy is she

as seeds grow and transmigrate

into flowers and fruit laden trees.

Though beyond her reach now, far away.

like a banyan tree, she still stands

weathering the storms of the time

providing shades to guests to take rest

and to enjoy in her nest from time to time.

Cruel is the time but she has seen the worst

will power sustains her mind and soul

not the body though,

now lives with anxiety and agony

time not far off to wear new clothes

and to say good bye to her uncaring progeny.

Soon she will also feel the heat like that banyan tree

from the builders, land mafias

and insensitive rascals of her own

bulldozing the very roots of hers

not waiting for her natural nirvana

only to reap the benefits.

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All rights reserved/Tribhawan Kaul