(As he Hits a Century)
Warm thoughts of native Karaikudi
Are of visiting paataiyah and paati;
At our majestic big house we are greeted
By paataiyah in his easy chair seated!
A simple and pious man is he,
Listening to the news on radio we see,
Notebooks to children a noble charity,
We know he loves his dear family!
We hear him speak English with ease
But we are surprised he’s yet to pass SSLC
He tells us he’ll go to school soon,
So we wish he sees many a new moon!!!
Paati comes running to his every call
In kindness and love she stands tall.
With, fruits, paniyarams and vaadais so tasty
Her clear voice welcomes us till eternity.
This is such a proud occasion,
A festival and a joyous celebration!
Today is paataiyah’s hundredth birthday,
I want his blessings every day!!
(Poets Note : "Paataiyah" - that' how I call my great grand father - the 100 year old man. "Paati" - shes my great grand mother. the two of them, though now no more, lived in my native place - Kaaraikudi (Chettinad), central Tamilnadu. Two years ago, my great grand father celebrated his 100th birthday and this was the poem I wrote for him. I wrote it out in a chart, framed it and presented it to him and to tell you the truth, its hanging there at their front door.)
R. Kasturi is 14 years old.
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- Network for Children