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They Lived for Their Son…

A heart-wrenching poem, by Sarala, about an insensitive and ungrateful son, who never cared for his parent’s plight and penury. An exclusive for Different Truths.

They worked day and night 
In the field with rains and hottest 
Sun shining on their frail bodies 
To see their son becomes settled 
well as an engineer!
They gave him the best 
Ignoring their hunger pangs 
and torn clothes 
He was equal to the rich boys 
Who attended school with him 
Going out with friends 
And dining out not deserved by him!
He became an engineer 
They sent him abroad 
Hypothecating their home 
Still working without any rest 
Months passed, years flew 
Not a letter from him 
They wrote to him every week 
Asking him to help them 
To fill their stomach 
As all monies were going to the 
Bank as interest for the house!
He never bothered to reply at all 
He was enjoying his life with 
His women abroad and his work!
A time came when they were 
Asked to vacate the house 
They stayed in a tarpaulin shed 
Next door with torn clothes and sheets
They cried and cried 
But no one heard the cry of their heart 
Both became bedridden 
With little rice gruel from 
The kind neighbours every day!
They clung on to the memories 
Of his childhood and his photo
next to them!
They wrapped themselves with the 
Old shirts he had left to soothe
Their sorrowful hearts!
They took their last breath 
Together one night 
Not disturbing a soul!
The neighbours performed 
Their last rites and informed their son 
Who came by the next flight, 
With no feelings and searched for
their little box where he found 
Some cash they had saved 
With a note ... For our son when 
he returns … 
He did not shed a tear and 
Went back with the cash!

Poet’s Note: Don’t live your life for your children alone and don’t do more than what they deserve.

Visual by Different Truths

author avatar
Sarala Balachandran
Sarala Balachandran was working with an import-export organisation in the administrative department for 38 years. She retired eleven years back. Married, with two sons aged 43 and 36, she took interest in writing recently. She writes free verses.

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