My award winning poems, intended to be published as a book. |
MY WIFE-MY TEACHER [Bereaved husband reminisces about wife and thereby understands her more.] I am a teacher myself But was a student too. Of teachers outside the school Today I do tell you. From my mother I did learn Serving all while loving. From my father I imbibed High thinking, plain living. Though from my parents I did Many virtues imbue, It was verily my wife Who made me a man true. East exists because of West, North is, because, South is; Similarly, it is true, Because of her he is. Feelings that a woman does For the husband harbour Are conveyed often not in Words but behaviour. Even in death, my dear wife, Taught me a lesson great; Smilingly she bore all pain, Saying to Lord her grace. Though with me she is no more She is always in thought; Through those thoughts now I know why She was sometimes distraught. Why do women shout or cry Or are melancholic? Why one day, smiling, playful, Next day, they are so sick? Why minor things for men are, For women, crucial? And those, important to men, For them not so real? The above questions remain Often without a clue. In the daily rigmarole, Too busy are the two. They do not have time to think What does ail the partner; What are his or her hopes and What worries him or her. They simply go on living Till they are drawn apart; For the bereaved, a new life, Different one does start. Husband is often baffled By wifely taunt and tear. But the reasons for these are Quite later to him clear. In moments of solitude, Thinking of days gone by, He recalls their discussions, What they did talk and why. Ruminating in his mind All the events of yore, Newer meaning he discerns In what was so obscure. Enigma, often, is wife, Husband hardly knows her; But after she is no more, He knows her far better. In the end I must say this Many taught me in life; Yet my greatest teacher was None else but my dear wife. * Written in abcb, 7-6-7-6 format *Second prize in "Emotional Write Contest" *Honorable mention in "Life Lessons Contest - CLOSED" Earlier posted as item # 712454 MC Gupta 3 June 2003 |