Poem: To My Maternal Aunt
By: Syed Mustafa Ahmad
When rain doesn’t seem to go away, I am reminded of my beloved maternal aunt
Her scintillating smile would melt the stone hearts
Her presence was like a constant companion in the dreadful wilderness
She would support us when everything was torn apart
Sitting in the kitchen and gazing at our arrival was her cherished dream
She would eat the mounds of poison to let us eat the savoury foods
Fields would laugh in her presence,
The sun would wait for her to finish her daily chores,
The moon would gaze at her for her ingenuity
Seeing her hospitality, the monsoon would dance in ecstasy
When storms didn’t not seem to end, she would streamline our boats for safety
Fairies would sing lullabies for her and rock her cradle
Heralding dreams, she would decorate the beds of roses
Caring for her husband was her obligatory duty
Her son, Fazil, would bloom in her presence
She would dig earth to hide her son from the brutal world
She gave birth to princesses who always care for everyone
Holding the magic wand in her hands, she would erase every pain
Badi Mammy, you left us in the middle of nowhere
The bloody hounds were on prowl while you left us to fight against the monsters
Mammy, you rest in peace and we are waiting for your arrival
My thatched house is what I have to offer you
My weak body is what I have to present you
My candles are flickering while my heart’s light is bright
Your arrival will enlighten our dark world
We love you, Badi Mammy
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