Pinch...! Poem by Vidya Pandarinath

How nice sometimes is a pinch,
That carries a true, cosy feeling;
The curious mother and the infant
Are set in a momentary flinch,
The marvel of consoling and healing
Make up for the attention scant;
Joy and content work up with no ado,
The magic squeeze of fingers two!


Yet is there the other mode
To take out anger or temper,
With pursed lips and twisted hand --
A kind of ill-will in express code,
Exacting a helpless whine or whimper
As the loathsome victim tries to withstand:
A disgrace to the digits so choosen
While the teeth grip the yield frozen

Joyful warmth in all choice - similarity,
Is twined around with smiling amity;
Intent truly turns to gain even pain
And frees the sullied from all stain...!