Krish Radhakrishna Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

Gold chain in Hindu culture

It is common to buy a 22c gold chain as a gift in India. I was given one that still is with me after decades. It is a blessing and known to impart positive energy and dispell gloom. Often when young you wear it for a few hours and then it is put away for safe keeping till one is old enough to safe guard it. This poem is based on an incident I remember from my childhood.

Fever

“Under the vast tamarind tree, 
somewhere  in it’s dark recess,
you will find the gold chain,
i have lost, mother! yesterday,
when we boys were running,
while at play! I should 
have been more careful,
I see it now, but not then,
I lost it at play!!!“
That dark night as the weather
beat hard rattling the window,
in his sleep he screamed
and would say,
“Oh mother! I lost it at play!“
His small body shook in sleep,
as he sobbed, the fever 
took hold and numbed his brain.....
“Oh, mother! I lost it at play!”
mother stayed by, eyes red with tears
a sleepless night!
holding his burning hands
as he would cry
“Oh, mother! I lost it at play!”
in his mind he travelled
many a time to the crevices to see
of that vast tamarind tree!
birthday gift his mother had bought,
and so close to his heart.
like the ocean tides
all night his little voice
would rise and fall,
“Oh, mother! I lost it at play!”
when he woke next day
it was dawn, his mother by his side
the fever was gone!
his mother wept and held him close,
A deep thankful kiss that
only a mother could enclose,
She wept “ I care not for that gold chain!!
there is nothing more precious
than you my son, 
we shall buy another
before the day is done!!“

Written 22/07/2020
Delirium poetry contest
Sponsor Kai Michael Neumann

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