Sunday, February 24, 2008

A Phone Call to Home

A routine call home every weekend;
Mama answers,
A voice full of
Anticipation, eagerness -
"How have you been?",
She asks.

Followed by asides of
purposeless news,
Of distant relatives,
Of old neighbours,
Of family gossips,
Of everyday banters.

As she speaks of these,
In her voice I hear,
A faint but distinct chant,
A yearning never spoken of,
Layered beneath that insignificant chatter-
"I miss you, I miss you".

11 comments:

KAD said...

:)..Missing mom?? Can relate to this one, my mom speaks to me just like this when I am away..all kinds of useless chatter but then it is just to cos she wants to speak and that is all that matters.

Lotus Reads said...

Hi, Radha!

I just got off the phone with my mom (12,000 miles away) and so your beautiful poem made my eyes moisten a little.

Radha, I need to get in touch with you via e-mail if possible. Need to ask you something about travel to Vietnam and Cambodia. Is it possible for you to send a line to lotusflower777@yahoo.com with your e-mail addy? I would appreciate that so much, thanks!

Padma said...

I talk to my mom everyday. But sometimes even that is not enough, cause if you can see them once a month , i think its more than talking everyday.

Strangely enough even i just got off the phone with my mom. :)

Afternoon Latte said...

This is so beautiful Radha.
Captures so many emotions.
Thank you for sharing.

Radha said...

Kanishka,
I know what you mean :)

Lotus,
Hi there. You're visiting Cambodia & Vietnam? Thats great! Will drop an email soon.

Padma,
Very very strange :)

Lalunadiosa,
Hey, thanks :)

Fighter Jet said...

superb!

Destitute Rebel said...

One misses ones home, family and when we talk to people we love and care for we miss them more, i can totall relate living most of my past 15 years away from my country and family, Great poem radha.

Radha said...

Fighter Jet, D Reb,
Thanks :)

Jayne said...

It's amazing just how much you can pick up from unspoken words in a phone call home, especially to mum. Your poem is so lovely - many of us relate to it immediately :-)

PS - You've been tagged (sorry)

clickable said...

So heartfelt! Made me teary eyed.

Radha said...

Jayne,
Hey there! I promise to do the tag soon!! You dont have to be sorry!! :-)))

Clickable,
Really?? Pottery lessons are turning you into a softie!! :)