Joy Greets You At Doorstep, Sorrow Awaits You In Drawing Room Poem by Bashyam Narayanan

Half moon in the mid of cloudless sky
Chillness in air despite nearing summer
Things looked bright even with not-functional street lights

I was enjoying a merry running to the street corner shop
To fetch betel leaf and nuts for my mother and aunt
Both resting at home after an eventful festive evening
And a grand reasonably early dinner

I was happy because at home there was peace
And all kids, including my cousins, having a great time
I felt lucky for having been chosen to perform
This service

I was proud as the women folk at home said
That I would get the best betel leaves
Tender and juicy, as I know how to pick up
These made me rush from home
And ended up in a joyful double up run

Everything was fine
Some elderly was asking me, whom I did not answer
“Why running, my boy”

That was the mind set with which
I kept running
I had to stop suddenly because
A thinly built but taller than me boy
Also running opposite jumped in front of me

Before I could understand and say something
The boy slapped on my left cheek
Did not say a thing
Moved towards my right and
Continued running

It took sometime for me synthesize the happening
I stood there for seconds
Looked back to see the running hitter
As I am not knowing even now
The reason for his slapping

Was it because I came on his way
I quietly walked; I dropped the idea of running,
Fearing another slap
Bought the leaves and nuts
With no words uttered and in a
Very thoughtful mood

Returned home with no cheers
But a saw in my family the same joy, they had when I left

Who was that boy
Why did he slap me

Joy does not last long sorrow comes immediately after that
Was the lesson I learnt
And this lesson proved to be right
As the very next week my mother breathed her last