Saturday, July 22, 2017

Ungrateful Payback

She went on as far as it seemed miles
Falling down and getting up in the aisles

Journey to her home today seemed so much long
It was some food that she wanted to carry along

But hurt she was and was in much of pain
Yet each time she fell down she got up again

Her kids were waiting for her at home
She wished to see them once before she left them alone

Little birdie was she who was cruelly shot
The pain outgrew so much that she forgot

All she wanted now was to be alive
For just a little while till she reached her chive

A little strength was what she prayed for
To reach her nest that seemed so far

With drooping eyes she was finally there
The chicks were melodiously chirping where

Seeing their mom they started jumping with joy
Hungry they were and food was here, oh boy!

As she fed those tiny grains in their beaks
Tears rolled out of her eyes on her cheeks

Careful she was to not soil their cozy bed
Her blood should not mess up the nest she so lovingly made

Time was running and she only had a few breaths left
She spoke to her little ones in soft words lest


    "My babies, today when I was hopping from tree to tree
    In search of your favorite food like a soul that was free
 
    Suddenly I felt a gush of pain
    Didn't know the arrow struck me when

    Humans can be so ungrateful sometimes
    This is how they paid back for my morning chimes

    But I didn't want you to feel I abandoned you
    And I made it all the way here so you knew

    This is the last I feed you my dear ones
    From here on you are on your own and only ones

    How I wished I could have seen you fly
    But here I am now saying you good bye

    Be the birds whose songs greet the morning dew
    Always remember you had a mother that loved you"


Down she fell from up above high
Left her soul with a last sigh

With an open beak and wings that were spread
Stretched on her back there she lied dead


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One of my core childhood memories is that of my Mom explaining me
a Marathi poem by "Baalkavi" titled "Kevdhe He Krourya"
I would ask her to do that over and over again 
And every time she explained, I would cry
With "Ungrateful Payback", I have just tried to translate those feelings in English
Here is the original Marathi one- 

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