
Mother can you tell me who these people are
They come each day to stare
Their cars they make an awful sound
And foul this gentle air
Mother can you tell me who they are
There seem more of them each day
They come to stop and gaze awhile
And then they go away
Mother can you tell me from where they come
They are frightening to see
If you were not here, I would run away
And hide up in the trees
They do not jump or climb like us
Or fly like the birds I know
They do not prowl on fours like a jungle cat
Or dart like an antelope
I don’t understand the words they speak
And speak a lot they do
Their voice is harsh and very loud
So I huddle close to you
Mother can you tell me where they stay
I have never seen their home
Is it a cave or a bush or a tree like ours
Or a rocky pile of stone
Mother tell me who sounded the call
When these strangers came in here
Does everyone watch them to see what they do?
Does everyone tremble in fear?
Mother will they take our home for their own
With their smells and smoke and sounds
And then what will happen to all of us?
Will we have place to roam all around?
Mother when you hold me in your arms
I know you are keeping an eye
On these strangers who come to our land everyday
To destroy our world and our life
Mother when you take me to the top of the trees
I see a world so wide
Come let us show them this great big world
So we can all live side by side

2 responses to “Mother”
The image takes on a different meaning with the poem, Vinita. So poignant.
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Thank you Ambika … I fell in love with the wide anxious eyes.
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