About A Celebration Poem by Bishnupada Sethi

I wouldn't wonder
Though protested silently-
To see my mother pouring cold water
Over the just cooked steaming rice.
The meal was ready
To be consumed only with salt
To fill the empty stomachs
For a family of five.

In the other well-to-do houses
Everyone would rejoice with
Plenty of aromatic rice
Along with several finger-licking dishes
Made of veggies, meat and fish.

Though reconciled to the fate then
I never liked the rice mixed with water
All round the year, that too-
Be it winter, rains or summer.

Mother's love was the only consoling factor-
We tided over the bad times
Of crop failures, shortages
And many other misfortunes.

Overlooking is my distant past-
At me with indifference.
They are celebrating a day-
On my most familiar food
Of rice with water.


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