That Day —-3 / February /1974

That be the day  years back

as I recollect in a track

a boy just over twenty-one  years

and a girl not even  twenty years

both so young and pristine  in beauty

stand there with a smile

the eyes reflect a fear  and  tremble

perhaps it looks like a preamble

to the experiences, they have to encounter

as  they stand before a crowd of thousands

on the early hours of the morning

fully decked up with jewellery and silk

ready to tie the knot and bear the yolk

as the minutes draw to a close

the music from the piped instrument

nadhasawaram as it is called in this part

starts with a subdued note then raises to the pitch

while the percussionists the players of Thavil

strike the chord with enormous beats

the Purohit chants the mantra in earnest

as the boy ties the thali round the girl’s neck all honest

with that they become man  and wife  to the world

the happening being some forty-one years back

that be the day 3/ February/1974  a long way back

while the boy and girl have become old  man and woman

well into their sixties  still active and cherubic  in demeanor

proud parents of three lovely sons well into their thirties

blessed with a host of grandchildren  all  smart and lovely

Well, that   much and more  they have earned

nothing short of awards  and trophies

nothing less than fame and money

find that life  well lived  is its  own reward.

i