Satisfaction Poem by Tribhawan Kaul

My two grandchildren
both girls
always on my nerves
with their smart little pranks
asked me to accompany
to a fair nearby
I promised but as a standby.

Their mother gave a call
all of us zoomed to a big mall
saw a set of Barbie dolls
as lively as present day gals
trance-fixed
girls did not budge an inch
till their wish was not fulfilled.

Girls were happy
with great expectations they laughed & giggled
became chirpy and sizzled
their mother too
pride writ large on her face
as Barbies had cost
only rupees two thousand and fifty-two.

Back home Girls’ imagination ran riot
thinking of their buddies
walking, talking & singing Barbies
they wanted to play
but to their dismay
Barbies were showcased
for display.

Out of their reach
theirs, yet not theirs
saw their hopes sink
remembered ST Colridge*
“ water water every where, not a dropp to drink”
they could not express
their anger, anguish and distress.

Sensing their shock
least to say
took them to fair same day
they cuckooed with glee
had lot of rides for free
at their back & call
procured various small cute cottage dolls
Just for rupees fifty-three.

Sparkling eyes
smile on their faces
bringing home
the dumb & mute bounty of their own
with those they could play, walk, sing, talk and relate
and to their friends these could be shown and partake
enjoying their own world of make believe when they can
better than
watching barbies themselves like a dumb and mute
merely listening only two words, “ how nice? how cute”
physical holding of dolls made all the difference
they became alive, agile, innovative and I must say
joy on their faces
made my day.


(This poem is dedicated to all grils below 6 years including my grandchildren Yona & Sia./19-06-2011/Samuel Taylor Coleridge*)