Two Poems for Mothers Day

I know

wrinkles
across your face
white streaks
among thick black hair
met
the red parting
morphed
into a vermilion moon
on the forehead
red bangles on wrists
henna on palms
hid the marks

of lifelong chores
cracked skin
snapped the fate line
they covered you
with a white shroud
said

you were dead
the red bridal dress
melted
into orange flames
the setting sun
turned crimson
but you cannot die
I know
I was born to you

Mother…

Garden’s whiff, kitchen’s waft

streams of sweat

mingled with milk

pain, exhaustion, tears

all banished

by your touch of silk

storms you faced cheerily

trifling with fate’s ire

you disdained vagaries of time

when you fell

skies convulsed earth trembled

fortress crumbled

our talisman lost forever

heads once held proudly high

defeated, must they bow

resounding laughters lost forever

mother dear, did you have to go?