A matter of migration and Mum: A poem 

I walked the streets of my neighbourhood, 

in Mumbai, along with friends; and we often 

went picnicking on the beachfront, sharing 

cigarettes, and birthday parties! We were a  

thick group, but didn’t realise how casually  

we fell apart!  I had no sustained pattern of  

loyalties, allegiances (but for one particular friend); 

Even patriotism was a dim word only refreshed at 

the 15^th of August Flag Hosting Ceremony! I loved 

calling India home, though. I didn’t much sing the  

anthem. Many of my friends migrated out early. When I  

migrated to Australia finally, at age 42, I thought life would get easier;  

but it was so much the tougher. I couldn’t quite think of 

Australia as home, but I settled in! I don’t even still know  

the words of `Advance Australia Fair’ And how Fair do I 

think that Fair is. Certainly, only Fair (White!). I think migrating 

from Gemini-Capricorn to Leo-Capricorn strengthened my 

bonds with my Mother, even though I left her back in India, when 

I moved country! Representatively, she came to Australia to  

take her last breaths here! The last thing I wanted was to  

fling my Mother’s Roses in the seas South of Melbourne.  

But my sisters ignorantly insisted and pursued the matter.  

As chance would have it, a dog walked up to the place  

where my sisters carved `Adios’ to my mother on the beach 

sands and scratched it all off, much to my sisters’ consternation!  

Today, in retrospect, I thank that dog! For my Mum was no beached  

Whale or arked shark!