Mother’s Day Special: A.K. Ramanujan’s Poem, Of Mother, Among Other Things
This week in Daak:
1. Mother’s Day Special: AK Ramanujan’s Poem, Of Mother, Among Other Things
2. Looking for the Perfect Gift for Your Mother?
3. Daak Recommends
1. Mother’s Day Special: A.K. Ramanujan’s Poem, Of Mother, Among Other Things
One of life’s biggest heartbreaks is seeing our mothers (and fathers) age and succumb to the ravages of time. A mother, who was once infinitely strong, resourceful, and protective, will inevitably become frail and in need of care herself. A.K. Ramanujan captures this heartbreak in his poem, "Of Mothers, Among Other Things", a touching ode to her tenacity and love.
Through vivid imagery and metaphor, Ramanujan reminisces about his mother, observing her gradually aging form and recalling memories from his childhood. He likens her to a twisted blackbone tree and her hands to the claws of an eagle, conveying the physical toll of her labour and the passage of time. Through these images, he paints a poignant picture of his mother's journey through life, from youth to old age, highlighting her resilience and sacrifice. Despite her frailty — either by force of habit or love — she continues to serve through simple, small, and unnoticed acts, like picking a single grain of rice from the floor.
I smell upon this twisted blackbone tree the silk and whitepetal of my mother's youth. From her earrings three diamonds splash a handful of needles, and I see my mother run back from rain to the crying cradles. The rains tack and sew with broken threads the rags of the tree tasselled light. But her hands are a wet eagle's two black-pink crinkled feet, one talon crippled in a garden- trap set for a mouse. Her saris do not cling: they hang, loose feather of a one time wing. My cold parchment tongue licks bark in the mouth when I see her four still sensible fingers slowly flex to pick a grain of rice from the kitchen floor.
2. Looking for the Perfect Gift for Your Mother?
Celebrate your mother’s strength, beauty and wisdom with this special gift set containing inspiring art, poetry and stories of women.
3. Daak Recommends
Read another Daak on Kedarnath Singh’s tender and heartbreaking poem about mothers.
Want a unique insight into Ramanujan’s brilliant, creative mind? Read this Daak on his experiments with Mescalin