Dr G. Sheela Swarupa Rani is an Associate Professor of English, Dept of English Langugage and Litrerature, Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam, (Women's University),Tirupati, A.P. A few of her articles and poems are published.

43. Why Only Women…?

The house is untidy

The vessels greasy

The clothes unwashed

Some one to be blamed…

Then, why only women…?

Every one is so tired

Crave for a cup of tea

And a few snacks to eat

Some one can get up and do it…

Then, why only women…?

All are busy getting ready

Suddenly the little one shits

Every one shouts

Some one should attend…

Then, why only women…?

In the twenty first century

In the Christendom too

Where Christ ought to replace Manu

Manu still reigns

And keeps the question evergreen

' Why only women…?'

44. The Balloon Monger

Apples and balls, cats and birds

Thin and fat, big and small

Flying in the air, drawing all

Are tied to a stick in his hands.

Into our street, he comes now and then,

Makes sounds we irritate to listen,

But never unmusical to children.

Them out of their dens he calls,

Like the charmers do the snakes.

Stars for eyes, running, out they come

Boomerang to mother, round her roam

Beg and cry, all the known tricks apply

Till mom, though sure of her defeat tries

All the methods futile, and persuades

With an idea logical --

How a rupee goes in waste

When in no time, the cats and apples burst

And how umpteen things a rupee brings

Like chocolates, poppins and biscuits -

All these sermons go in vain,

Their acrobatics mom's patience drain,

And get good beatings in return.

But he, like a Buddha untouched

Before the same house moves unmoved

Without ceasing the noise repeats

Till the children, shedding stars

Come out with smiles, hiccups

A rupee in hand and a face victory writ

Innocent to the victory in his eyes.

See mom and child at his mercy

May be a thought a bit crazy

To call him a psychologist saucy.