Winter and caraway seeds
Winter and caraway seeds
Mother, while making the dough
You kneaded in with your fists,
Love, prayers and caraway seeds!
With utter concentration rolled
To perfect round with a rolling pin
Took it in palms and placed it on the skillet
Turn it over, till it rose like a balloon!
You would then smear it with
Clarified butter made of cow’s milk
Then after a while pack a few
In our Tiffin box with mango pickle!
Oh, the aroma of caraway seeds!
My sister and I would rush out
Exhaling white smoke on our way to school!
Made our way through tall dry grasses!
Chilled to bones, we had no stockings
Scarves and woollen cap, bare head;
Lips chapped but we couldn’t care less!
And mother, then we couldn’t resist
Eating up our bread while singing
To keep ourselves warm with caraway.
Mother, the wind rustling up the tall grass
Was very chilly and cross, and looked at us;
Could it be because some one
Had stripped it
Of its fragrant wrap
That keeps it in good spirits!
In the recess, we felt no regret
And drank water, felt content
And played by ourselves!
I still can’t make them as round as you did
And have no clue, what has happened
To caraway seeds, no lingering appetising aroma!
Wind is blowing listlessly
From Shivalik hills, there are no tall grasses;
O, mother, how I miss you!
A great and lovely tribute to your Mother! How sweet of you!
i am sure your mom has read the poem mamta what an heart warming tribute ..
The greatest compliment is to dearly miss someone
my god has the countenance of a woman!
Mothers and their caring...brings back sweet memories Mamta..My Mom used to make a cake with caraway seeds...thanks for sharing this sweet "down memory lane" piece with us..
your emotion is blended into your imagery with a deep caress ...
I must concur with Debs, Mamta...but also must add: "Only You could parallel Winter with caraway seeds , use it as a title...and give us all a summer warm verse" ! Your Mother, I am certain, is smiling o'er ya' right now, lass! ~FjR~
You remember the past so vividly and render it in verse reading like a short story - with nostalgic feelings ! The human mind forever takes solace by remembering those happier days with which it was blessed ! -Raj
Awww this is such a sweet tribute to your mum and to her lovely making for you girls a lunch box.
Nostalgic thoughts take you to your adolescence days...the wind remains the sole witness of your gain and loss...a nice write in tribute, Mamta