No Milk Today

To finish her housework

She swept, dusted and washed.

Then drew a fresh kolam.

And churned buttermilk with mathu.

 

Piled the firewood and set a spark

Nudged in two sticks, to coax the fire.

Red flames crackled and leapt up

And she put the kettle on.

 

To make the morning tea with milk

The girl approached the young cow.

She got there, shiny sembu in hand

And stood stunned!

 

Tearing and breaking the bound rope

Butting and nuzzling against his mother

Earnest tail lifted up,

The hungry calf had happily drunk all his mother’s milk!

 

Her hand flew to her head

Curls tumbled loose.

Tears rolled, crushing her aching heart

Memories flashed back in time.

 

In her thoughts, she kissed her bonny baby!

Smelt his soft hand, embraced his infant form.

Motherly love welled up and flowed

Petal soft lips sucked, demanding until content.

 

Moving his face from her breast

Mother looked on; son smiled

She squeezed her baby

And wiped the dripping milk.

 

Licking her calf

The cow stood fulfilled.

Losing her son

The mother felt empty, dry.

 

She heard a voice call out ‘Amma!’

Her hand went weak and the sembu slipped.

Then came the sound of temple bells

That cleared her mind of hesitation.

 

She handed the cup to him.

Morning tea was black that day.

‘Why’ he asked.  ‘No milk’ she said.

Her husband wiped her flowing tears.