an urban girl unearthing a rice grain...

A rain stomps through,

crushing and flooding everything in her path,

the farmers' tears fall,

only to be washed away without a trace.

For an urban girl like me,

that what I have experienced,

was all but a wonder.

Plodding through the wet grass,

that cooled my feet,

looking up to the star-filled sky,

I start wondering,

if this was such an odyssey for me,

What about those whose battered feet

and clammy hands make no difference?

That first grain of rice, a symbol of their success,

walking day and night, back and forth,

just to see those rice grains being washed

down the belly of torrential rain.

I move forward,

not knowing which direction to move in,

absolute darkness,

the sound of crickets surround me,

I nearly trip over a small ditch.

'Twas but a minor setback for a farmer,

trust was our only weapon,

11 of us ranging from 12 to 80,

walking hand in hand.

If you were to look through my eyes,

and feel the tiny nagging fear,

then you would know how dangerous it was.

Total darkness engulfs me,

we trudge on with the moon and our flashlights guiding the way,

This experience was an eye-opener for me,

it opened my eyes to the world of a farmer,

waking up before the sun rises,

walking miles upon miles to reach the farm,

toiling hard in the hopes of a fruitful harvest,

leaving way past sunset.

Our family's bond has thus been strengthened,

with nothing but a journey, in pitch dark,

our senses, the moon's light and the spirit

of a farmer leading us to safety.

I dearly thank all farmers from the bottom of my heart,

for working so hard, for being a shining beacon of light,

in the journey of a young urban girl.

WRITTEN BY,

R.MAHIMA RAM

P.S-

This concept was suggested by my aiamma,

a very beautiful idea given by her.

Thank you aiamma for giving me this opportunity