An evocative poem about a mother, poor and needy, in this gender sensitive poem, by Sarala, exclusively for Different Truths.

She was poor and needy
Single parent of three
Worked day n night
In the field
Carried things on head including bricks
Washed clothes and
Utensils in rich people’s homes
Just for pittance
To feed her hungry school going children
Every day their tiffin was
Dry roti and jaggry
Which they relished without complaint!
Happily smiling playing in the fields with bare feet
and torn clothes
They knew their mothers struggle when they saw her
eat handful of puffed rice and water at night while they
had dry roti and a cup of milk
which she gets from some noble souls!
Now she was old and unable to do heavy work
She opted only for cleaning rooms in homes !
She kept thinking what will I leave for my children
when I say my last adieu
She thought and thought
Yes, she smiled her weak smile ..
I will leave them the Legacy of Love which is beyond any
material gifts in this world !
The children grew up
And started working for meagre amounts which kept
them happy with their mother’s legacy of love and she
bid goodbye in few months time with a
grateful and contented heart!

Photo from the Internet