Momeries Poem by Daniel Trevelyn Joseph

Infant Hardy with his mother on the Roman road,
Triggered the image of Maud Gonne in classroom
Also of my climbing Rajaji Hall steps with my mom
When I was just three years old, and in Madras city.

I remembered looking out of the tram in same city,
When there was an explosion in the middle of road,
On the tram, and it stopped. Dont remember after.

Led to another memory going in bus with mom,
Temple my brother to Ettaiyapuram of Bharathi
To be with Arthur uncle and his family, with Vasan
Leading us in the evenings on the deserted road,
Regaling us with the green-arrow-shooting hero,
Before walking into a library in that small town!

I was six years old, and remember being in the high order
With one older and all others younger cousins milling around.

Vasan the eldest of Muthiah thatha's grandchildren later
Joined Engineering in Thiagaraja College in Madurai.
Poor fellow! he died mad, because they said he saw
A fellow traveller and classmate in the train got his head hit
On an electric pole and had his brains scattered around.

Remember going with Mom to the beach in Tuticorin
And buying oysters sold from a basket by a woman,
Go home for aunt to boil them - heartless, we were,
To pry open to get a few minor pearls called 'sannam'.

Remember Mom dressed in plain green silk and slim
Going to Church alone
Early in the morning, still dark, in Jamburopuram Madurai
When I was in second class, learning to burst crackers!