A Truly Strong Woman

When I was in school

my mother hired a house help.

Emaciated, poor, frizzy hair,

yet she smiled.

I leaned, she is widow

with four children,

illiterate, lives in hut,

works in paddy fields,

washes utensils in others’ homes

to feed her brood.

My respect for her grew,

yes, she had flaws.

when she could afford it,

she drank liquor.

Poverty and loneliness

made her commit mistakes.

A grocer gave free rations

and took advantage.

She became pregnant,

he denied paternity.

She kept working,

for she had no other way.

The village hospital

gave her free supplements,

hardly any supervision.

On a rainy night

in her small cottage,

with a midwife's help,

she gave birth to a lovely girl,

another mouth to feed.

Years later,

when I was pregnant

worried of the journey,

my health, and viability,

I thought of her, often.

She worked odd jobs, tirelessly,

with no man beside her,

not enough maternity care,

yet she delivered,

a healthy baby!

I am educated,

have some emotional support,

best medical care.

Can’t I do it too?

I think I can.

I did.

I had drawn courage from her.

She is gone now,

but I remember her.

A smile rises.

I knew

a truly strong woman

who kept inspiring,

by living in her own terms.

Note: People let's celebrate such powerhouses in grassroot people. They have no privileges, but resilience galore.

I feel so relieves to have written about her.