Dr Manjula Haragopal is an Associate Prof. of English & H.O.D, at Vignan's Institute of Information Technology, Duvvada, Visakhapatnam. She secured the first rank in the HSC Examinations, Tamilnadu. She secured the Second place in her M.A. degree examinations held by the University of Madras. She stood First in her M.Phil degree Exams. held by the University of Madras. She was awarded Sir R.Venkataratnam Research Medal by the Andhra University for her Ph.D. thesis. She presented papers at National and International Conferences and Seminars and Workshops. She is a Language coordinator, resource person and research guide.


59. A Page from Another Life

I step down from a cushion bed
       As the maid draws the curtain
I taste my health drink
       As my mother ruffles my hair for certain.

I have a lavish bath
       As my bag is readied
I wear my freshly ironed cloths
       As my lunch box is hurried   

I take the bus to school
       As my friends and I always do
I land in class fully prepared
       As my homework is, this is for true.

I open my snack and lunch boxes
       As the breaks draw near
I look forward for the delicacies
       As I expect them for sure

I take the evening bus from school
       As the day is done
I run into the hands of my mother
       As does the sun

I eat my favorite snacks
       As I do always
I look forward to play with friends
       As my new toys come from purchase.

I run into the arms of my dad
       As he comes home with a smile of assurance
I dig out the chocolate from his pocket
       As it is there as per my preference.

I dine with my parents
       As I finish my homework
I watch my favorite channel
       As my choice at home reigns as a Turk

I sleep cuddled with my teddies
       As my mother spreads my bed cover
I float in my dreams
       As life takes me to top of the tower.

Oh, how I wish all this were true
All celebrations and nothing to rue.

A page from another life
               This is for sure
A life I have never seen
               And hope for cure.

I dream this life
       As I wipe cars at traffic junctions
I crave this life
       As my stomach growls with hunger tensions

I yearn for this life
       As I crouch in cold & scald in heat
I crave for this life,
             As I tend to the blisters on my hands and feet.
I cry for this page from another life
       A life of beauty
A life of dignity
       A life, which may truly be called life.
  

60. Plea

Oh! Beautiful Sky with gems
               - like stars,
Do you see the humans
               -waging wars?
You are above us
               - seeing all,
Do you see the humans
               -making their own fall?
We wonder at your union
               -with our earth,
Do you foresee human friendship
               -to always face dearth?
In your dominion
               - do we all perish,
Will we ever attain
               -what we cherish?

We ask for PEACE, Oh noble sky,
Bless us to achieve what we cherish by and by.