Ms P. Padmini is the Head of the Department of English, The Madura College, Madurai, Tamilnadu.

19. An Unheard Cry

Mother,

you didn't want me.

Wanting to break

the tenuous tie between us

you rushed to the doctor.

I cried, cried aloud

"Don't… Please don't…

Don't deprive me

of dazzling dawns;

of dewy dusks;

of love and laughter.

Mother,

don't desecrate motherhood"

My cry for life

died unheard.

The steel fingers

grasped me.

The sharp curette

tore me to pieces.

In your semi somnolence

I was sent to infinity.

20. Unuttered Prayer

"Nothing lies beyond

the reach of prayer"

Nothing is beyond the

reach of prayer?

Hesitating, halting

unbelieving prayer?

Never are heard

prayers of

perpetual repetition.

Command God

without robotic prayers.

Try not in vain

to make God listen

to your customary songs.

Listen to the poor's sigh,

a sick child's cry.

Service unasked

is prayer unsaid.

Its more potent than

prayers voiced.

Lend ears to the needy

God will listen to thee.

Serve the needy

God will serve thee.