Race For Flowers Poem by Somanathan Iyer

Those were the days
boys we were
bubbling with energy
playful we were
felt never drowsy
agile we were
a source of joy
festivals for us
a chance for us
to feast our belly
the tasty foods
and variety of snacks
watered our mouths
well in advance
even though small
a sense of duty
used to prompt us
to help the elders
collecting flowers
for worship of Gods
was one such thing
we always enjoyed
we were to trek
more than a mile
to reach the mango grove
for getting the flowers
many a flowers
in different colors
wild and nurtured
up for grabs
mad rush prevailed
on the festival days
forcing every one
to wake up before dawn
vying with each other
hoodwinking one another
race we to the grove
for gathering flowers
with handful of flowers
in each of our bags
sporting a glee
with a conqueror looks
homes we headed back
to the pleasure of parents