In this verse, Dr Molly celebrates Kerala Day exclusively for Different Truths.

Slowly,
        slowly
life filters out
        through
the sieve of
       time...
another
        November 1st
Kerala Day!
a morning
       that dawns
with a
        cold nip...
in the
         front yard
fresh blossoms   
            nod heads   
in the gentle wind...
 
the wind     
        that rides over
memory lanes...
 
whither has
          disappeared
those night birds
           shaking branches
of my rose apple tree
           cooing, scattering
its red buds...
           you spread
the red carpet
           beneath...
as if to answer
          the chipmunk
hoots scramble on 
           its branches...
 
the foliage green
      in goosebumps...
little birds
       chirp...
life!
       the stretching
railway line
       now vacant,
content
        with saturated
sediments
        of many a
speeding,
        shuddering
 rush...
 
November 1st!
 
the times when
          with verve
you perked up
         fluttering
in Kerala saree
        sprinting up
the steps
         of your Ama Mater...
your youth
          propelled on
hope, devouring
          the immediate...
 
later,
      shouldering up
your bag of worries
       domestic, personal
how you
        scrambled
for work
        churning your
mind on
        thoughts, words
for students

         on Kerala Day         
while the crowded
          bus
regurgitated
         taking
its own time
          putting you
in tenterhooks
          to reach
college on time…
 
Hah! the busy
          run over...
this morn
          this cool morn
let me sip
          my morning cup –
slowly, slowly...

Picture design by Anumita Roy, Different Truths

Dr. Molly Joseph

Dr Molly Joseph, a bilingual professor and poet from Kerala, has published 26 books, including 18 poems, two novels, and two storybooks for children. She has edited "A Handbook of Contemporary Ethics" and works for values, global peace, and togetherness. Dr Joseph has won national and international accolades and represents India at SAARC and FOSWAL literature meets. She believes in the power of the word and writes boldly on contemporary matters.

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