Celebrating her day!

Often have I been questioned, “Why this Independence Day?”

Often on my overzealous expressions, many have confronted me, “Just standing up for the tricolour today won’t make a difference.”

Often for my sharp criticism of youngistaan’s coolness, “Standing up for the Anthem today, won’t take her forward,” is all I receive.

And often have I thought an answer for this.

Never did I stop romancing my lover,

But Valentine’s my annual visit to the jeweler;

Love her I, throughout the year,

But the 14^th is the day I remember – I love her.

Ups and downs throughout the days,

And I kick start all again in fresh ways.

That’s not the only newness and the Hope’s ray;

But 31^st December, I celebrate new beginnings throughout everyday.

I’d as always given him a shoulder to cry, his love’s life did we pry.

We rode into the jungle, chewed a crab he sought to fry.

Vodka on the terrace, Whisky in the car do we remember the exams’ syllabi?

But the first Aug. Sunday, my friends, take an occasion to give merry yet again a try.

Oh! That cracker did you see? It lighted up the moonless night.

My pious aunt commands weeklong, “are the sweets and flowers set right?”

Ram, Ganesh and Lakshmi have their perpetual nivaas here, she sights;

Yet on Diwali, she commemorates the inexorable Gods, who otherwise too are bright.

Father Mathew and Ali bhai are no different I suppose;

For Ali’s mother religiously sits five times in that pose.

Then why does Fr. Mathew on 25^th, put the Rum cakes on the stove?

For Jesus and Allah bless us always; their hand forever on our brows.

I start with a yawny good morning, and the night she hugs me to sleep,

I obey and disobey her relentlessly, but she continues in my welfare to peep.

This June 4^th, I gave her a leather bag for all her kisses and love to keep.

I love my Ma as every child, but on her B’day I tell her I love her deep.

My parents, my brother, my friends and the lover;

Not forgetting the Lords above; there’s day to each, to show our love.

There’s a prayer or a gift or a toast rose,

Then why such ado about us, before the tricolour, to rise?

My singing the anthem won’t aggrandize Her.

By not singing even won’t bind her pace.

But toiling for her daily differs from singing on her B’day.

Remembering her daughters and sons, cheering her in the race!