Rupa verses about her birthday, which was on the International Women’s Day, exclusively for Different Truths.

What is a meaning of giving of a gift?
It is a token of love pricey or from thrift
Its shared breaking of bread with blessing
fruits or sweetmeat wrapped for well-being
shiny opulent trinket blinding eye with bling
item of use for recipient that is much needed
or extravagant to shelve, pass on or be discarded
cash or gift card to splurge, then forget one who gifted

Each of the above is thoughtful in its own way
each holds sanctity, it’s the thought behind giving away

Slipping away are times, gifts were a stamp of gifter
energy, effort, time, thought was signature from the giver
when mother made favourite food of choice with love
where is that handmade dress to attach ruffles, she wove
Where is the pressed flower on paper with rushed poem
Gone are heartfelt letters penned for no reason and rhyme
what happened to home baked cake with icing intricate
why is simple superfluous and life being made complicate

Came my birthday on international women’s day
arrived loving bouquets, touching warm words my way
Calls, cards, notes, posts, food, hugs made me dance and sway
Each much appreciated, yet one touched most to brighten my day

My mother across continent fairly lonely with fewer visitors at 82
visited by caring angel swathed in gorgeous green saree in silk pattu
carrying warmth, empathy, kindness, citrus fruits and warm babbatto
Landed at teatime for the elderly mother, served her with love too
Tired after work, bringing a smile, hug, prayer on friends puttinaroju

What more priceless precious gift could I have received or wished for
I’m blessed and misty eyed at sister-friends smile, snack to my mother

It takes the stronger woman to uplift another woman
It takes empathy, caring, Kindness and compassion
We celebrate womanhood every day each minute, every time
By touching lives in letting the spring of love gurgle and shine.

©Rupa Rao

Photos from the Internet