On that morning
I walked alone to the tea stall,
where the hill breeze touched
the aroma of tea.
After drinking
a cup of frothy chai,
I walked with my thoughts
along the winding hill road.
A small wooden truck,
crept behind a line of tippers
clinging to the climb
its load held by an old frayed rope.
That fragile rope reminded me
of the lives of those drivers
balancing between danger and survival.
What holds a man’s life together,
when the man presses the accelerator
through the curves of these hills?
I thought it was fear
But how?
Fear cannot protect his life forever!
Then I thought it was skill.
But how?
Skill may guide his hands
What gives his heart the strength?
Suddenly a weathered hand,
by the ashes of life
rested upon my shoulder
Awakened a truth within me.
His family.
Yeah, it was his family.
Even after a bitter quarrel,
the rice he eats beneath
a weak yellow light
in the warmth of his home,
is enough to make him brave
enough to face another dawn.
and is enough for him
to shelter his weary heart,
posing as a guardian angel.
Author’s Note
This is a poem that I wrote to remind readers of the value of family and encourage them to act as guardians of their families, even when it comes to caring for the elderly and the young.
About Author
Safwan Maliyekkal is a student pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. He enjoys playing games, writing, and singing during his free time. You can find him on Instagram: @sa.afu_.uu_
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