Elizabeth John Andrews with her  first born, J K Roseline

           An ode to Elizabeth my mother on her 10^th anniversary

  It is  her turn now to become   a child

 Talked for a  while

   In a way only   a mother can say

   She  still spoke of what  should not be  done

She held on to life  as her end came near

   Time didn’t take her beauty  or poise away

  Her pretty nose, her aristocratic pose

   The face still glows  while  body  frail

  Broad forehead , high cheek bones,

  Rosy cheeks,soft skin, that so often shined

  The blood rushing in as she spoke or smiled

   In the contest of beauty at home among  females all

  The undisputed  crown,  she knew was her own

  O Elizabeth   dear mother  you were so like a queen

 Not realising   she was growing old

 Then when she was gripped by the snarl of cancer

  Like a courier, it came so soon and picked her away,

 Mother had not finished living

   She was waiting to see her children all

  Moving to  proper rhythm of life

  To play their roles  and lead a life

   See if they heeded to her perusal ways

  She held them all with her silent stare

  No one questioned her singular reign

  Though he headed the family, dad was fine

 Little bit more she wanted to be

  Long enough to finish her undone chores

  To spend a time with her  family whole

  To talk of the past sweet bygone days

   Waiting to see her grandchildren more

  Win  prizes and laurels as they grow

  Finding  the time to dot on them now

   Retired from service ,in a grandmother role 

  “This one will grow bigger than the first one “ said she

  Looking at the tiny thin curling bundle of joy

  When they put the little one   on to her lap

  On the night he was born bearing the winter chill

  When the carols were sounding loud and clear

  And the world prepared to enjoy the festive cheer

  She came to look at the new born boy

  She could see him then, as she won’t see him now

 On the very same day  after a decade she left forever

Never felt time passing through as years raced by

  She always felt young as she could feel

  Forgetting to add on her years she lived by

  Until  the day she realized all of a sudden with pain

  The agony and fear of what gripped her frame

  That took away her father

   Now she knew it was her turn

  But silently prepared for the parting  day

  Some one came and led her away

  Mother did not  finish living

  I bear the guilt of not sharing her pain

  when she needed me most, as she was fading away

  The last time I spoke  to her from far

  She had packed her bag to leave as on tour

  Taking in her heart all that she loved

  Burying her desires she wanted to  fulfil

  For never she felt the end would come so quickly

 One last time on a beautiful day

  She sat in her garden  to greet  the  morning sun

  Felt the air that smelt of thyme

  And watched  her winter flowers bloom

  Yet not prepared to leave the world

  She felt a gleam of hope

  Believing prayers and herbs would get her cured

  Braved the bitter scoops of aloevera  each day

  As she thought to be nursed back to health soon

  But before long realised it was God’s will

  Now to go on her last journey she was all so ready

  To see the loved ones suffer her pain

  It was all the more not bearing

  So to the heavenly abode must leave

  Soon mother was feverishly praying

  As if being send off from home

  Against her will

 She hid her feelings not showing her grief

  But as all things in her routine and  home

  She kept her time being diligently punctual

   Always before time she arrived while going to work

  Some one came and picked her away

  Leaving me to lament for not giving her more

 ' A son is a son until he gets married

  A daughter is a daughter until death'

  "So true ,"she exclaimed ! when she walked to her bed

  As she  glanced at the poster in her hospital roo

Didn’t know of the times she longed to see me

  To hear me say I am coming home

  Didn’t know she kept so awake all night

  Wondering how it will all come to an end

   I left to go far away from her the last time

  Getting into my comfort zone

  Far from her pain and agony in her life

  Go !Duty comes first  she had said.

  Feeling not quite right to have her way

   Now she was ready before time

  She bowed her head downed her gaze

  As if to say “Sorry” I let you down

  “It is not  my will, but the will of the God

 The time has come nearing to the silent night

  As we rejoice to hail the birth of our saviour might

  Bidding goodbye to her loved ones mother was going 

 Even  if the colours are  not bright and shining

  Even if life does’nt treat you right 

  Take care dear ones to live your  life all well

  Work hard, be true and never harm any

  Keep faith and pray be nice

  For the good lord has been kind” she said

 Five days before Christmas  mother passed away

  We  lost our shining star

   After the matriarch parted  to go

   The home has never been the same again

Now she twinkles brightly in her own way

   On this day and   everyday

  Remember her fondly in every sphere

   As I go on with life missing her  each year

 I realise  mother's words were so sweet to ears

By JK Roseline