Diamond at doorstep

Diamond at doorstep

 

 

“Hey Madam Manorama, Pal Laxmidhar!

Pray, we for your diamond jubilee only, a step further

while congratulating you on your GJ wedding day

we lying in prostrate pray

“Let the Lord shower His blessings on your way

in harmony bonded you stay

with health happiness peace and bliss aplenty

and long life to illustrate to the erring society

the harmonious conjugal living

that present-day society is missing.”

Shoulder to shoulder

boh together,

hand in hand

both of you could stand

to thwart the onslaught of life

as an idolized husband and wife

for a journey of five decades

any accolade to appreciate fades

in the face of its harmony and glaze

we all wish for eternity, it to continue to blaze.

Accolades from seniors, juniors, and peers

society as a whole to your ancestors’ cheers

add glitters to your GJ celebration

in mortal human life a sought-after occasion.

Your journey must be arduous on path, thorny,

made you it, sweet by your conjugal harmony

At my golden Jubilee composition

on your GJ wedding celebration

awestruck were my friends, abroad

in one voice, you both, they do applaud.

On your togetherness over fifty years,

an unbelievable achievement to them, it appears.

Each and every deed of yours surprised them

as to us so to them, each is a conjugal gem.”

Faithfully obeyed they, their parental choice,

on their nuptial bond, they had no voice

as if it is made in heaven and to the earth passed on

and they performed their roles by His benign direction.

Both were born far apart, brought up afar

that did not matter as for each other, made they are

repeating the roles birth after birth for human emulation

so that melodiously runs the symphony of His creation.

Laxmidhar had just crossed his days, teen,

Manorama was a teenager around nineteen.

A perfect match in them their parents had seen

Scrutiny of their horoscopes also gave it, a chit lean..

At Cuttack born brought up taught and fed,

a city life, Manorama as a spinster all along had led,

also was educated at the best women's institute

but it provided her companions who hoot

the rural rustic tradition

as a backward fashion.

But despite such a background

she accepted her role, rustic and county bound

adopting a rural-based old tradition.

At early dawn before the rise of the sun

waking up taking a bath and booming the house

despite hubby Laxmishar’s grouse.

In-laws remedied her if she was wrong

to keep her face always under a veil, long,

Io maintain waist--bent walking posture,

to kiss the foot-dust of superiors, never to falter,

to cook in earthen pots in the oven, earthen,

with its daily upkeep by herself in person

inclusive of cleaning of ash

and fresh cow dung wash

fallen dry leaves as fuel inhaling oxides carbon

pulling out water from a well, common,

cooking for numbers, uncertain

as all on a sudden may come, a distant relation

last she being the dining member

had to be satisfied with whatever was left over.

Handling smoke and, preparing Beatles for guests galore

messaging legs, of elders after dinner, and many more

are not touched upon here as volumes, it requires

Manorama at Teens did it, though us, the list, tires

gossip mongers’ criticism involving her

with maturity, she ignored at the age, tender.

Cunningly she managed to avoid physically etched decorations

that decorated the arms and bodies of her inlaws’ relations.

The satiric name, KATAKI BOHU, implying, she is too modern

was ignored by Manorama and she might have forgotten.

Only a line from volumes large was touched upon

rising to the occasion, every heart Manorama won

at her tender age of teens with a contrasting background

Hats off to teenager Manorama. Her deeds then keep us spellbound.

Laxmidhar then was torn by the multi-pronged attack of love

love for self, spouse and kith and kin he had to shove.

For self to get Manorama early for time beyond measure

he has to pray to the lord to come as his benefactor.

Madam Manorama on your GJ wedding day

On your hubby in whispers much I have to say

being his roommate and a classmate

as his peer, him, I can criticize and appreciate

Add I, gospel, logical, and is proven, true

to the spite of spouses including you

their hubbies' untold or latent traits

are better known to their teenage classmates

compared to you, spouses,

frighten the hubbies, their grouses

further being the roommate classmate for years, long

at teenage to the same at Alma-mater, when pals belong.

On one promise from you his bachelorhood I will expose

if to our spouses you will never disclose

as to the ease and luxury of your life

being the high railway official wife

in a bungalow or in a salon on the wheel

lest as on comparing envious, our spouses will feel

Listen now you must to Laxmidhar’s untold story

Thank you must your departed parents while basking in your glory

“we remember all your well-wishers on this auspicious day

with gratitude, in adoration love and affection much we say.”

Lazmidhar was an adolescent, exceptional

suave, sincere, not a city monger for pleasure visual

the fury of the age of adolescence forces one teenage boy

on a cycle own or rented in isolation or group for adolescent joy

mainly focusing their binoculars on fair sexes even beyond their age

fabricate grape vines involving self to increase friend's knowledge

to take false credit waxing his own ego

in the process, precious study hours are let go.

but Laxmidhar used to tune his flute to a new song

to hanker after movies and girls he did never long.

the flute must be in tears when he deserted it

For his artistry, no room perhaps your love could permit.

Hey Manorama and Laxmidhar listen together

suggest I you both, to remember your initial day pleasure

recollecting deeds words thoughts feelings then

in an isolated room repeating them again and again

May I stop here not elongating it further/

Your wedding day many remember

“ Car, palanquin- ride, petromax illumination

from Raghunathpur Marriage party procession

despite the rain at Cuttack Professorpada reception”

captivated all, Thus says many on recollection.

Five decades back on this day

within a twinkle of an eye, it has gone all we say

but you have grown a family tree with value

to sing your glory for generations ahead valuing you.

we pray for them from the hearts' abyss

for their health happiness and bliss.

P K Routray

In the service of the Lord

( My roommate and classmate wef 1965 to 1970 got wedded to Manorama on 8th July 1973. It is composed in their honor for celebrating their Golden Jubilee)