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An evocative poem, by Dr. Kumud, wherein an earthen lamp tells its story. An exclusive for Different Truths.
I am an earthen lamp breathe slowly One who has created me Want to thank him I am an earthen lamp consisting of drops of water clay - kneads the soil mould into different shape meets each lamp When I get decorated and stand in lines Want to salute everyone I am an earthen lamp when I get dried up in the sun And sunk in the furnace my lips become thirsty But still I get heated in chimney Mother keeps me in a basket by decorating me Proudly, I laugh then I am an earthen lamp in a street corner of the market mother sits there with me for every visiting customer then she looks with hope in eyes when I go to someone’s house Seeing mother’s happiness I weep sometimes I am an earthen lamp Save four paise, earn four paise mother brings home food a lamp in the name of a god, Mother also keeps me near the door Seeing delighted face of her child I offer my heartfelt blessings I am an earthen lamp wick soaked in the oil lamp fights with the wind suffering and illuminating but does not say anything aloud, mother, woman, earth, nature, wick I salute them, bowing my head I am an earthen lamp From the beautiful words of a sweet parrot Little Sheru is happy and wags tail Sonny cow’s little brown calf he is also happy and fussy These are small joys of a little house I send happy messages to everyone I am an earthen lamp
Picture by Anumita Roy
