Devaki

It is the hour of darkness and silence,
The density of dark engulfs her sightly silhouette,
She treads the only path of deliverance,
In oblivion, in the scheme of the universe.

Her steps are gingerly and conclusive,
And graceful as the prance of a horse...
In her arms, she holds Life,
Close to her bosom, as warmth permeates.

She reaches the shimmering banks and stops,
A teardrop from her eyelid falls...
How, oh how, can she let go of Life!
How would she be tomorrow - forlorn? defenseless? void?

"Oh my calf! I must let go!
You carry with you, my breath in your breath,
My heart in your heart,
Me in you!

You quiver in the cold, but I must let go...
Dawn shall give you the warmth you so seek.
With you, you carry the sole meaning for my being,
Forget me not, lest my heart should stop beating."

Her aching heart leaves unnoticed,
Certain that Life will now go on.
Although depleted of Life she now is,
She trots on, hurt, but never turning back.


[This refers to a fable from Hindu mythology according to which baby Krishna's mother Devaki had to part with him due to the constant threat of her evil cousin who was prophecised to kill Krishna.]