I burn the midnight oil
memorizing, writing, and working
geometrical riders and algebraic
problems.
I byheart poems and formulas
quote from memory is alloted 10 marks,
My voice echoes through the staircase
penetrates to the living room
My siblings call me ” mike”
address me as ” mug pot”
tease me to the core,
upsetting my routine,
I quickly pick myself up
continue memorizing,
increasing the volume by few
decibels to irritate them.
They do not leave me in peace,
complain they cannot concentrate,
the matter goes to higher court
where mom presides.
hearing both sides
she with a practicality,
one of great intrigue
to me even now,
pronounces the verdict
“One cancels the other,”
so none of you are wrong.
“What do you mean”
I blurt in anger, She retorts
” I mean what I say”
“Go back to the study,
each one do your work”
She never adjourns
dismisses our representations
instantly, leaving us
in a quandary
Meenas Poems 