Dr. Molly Joseph
- When you give bath to your new born…
…. … …..
She is tender
the slender
gossammer thread…
with a
dancing head
on her
swaying neck
with delicate
body, arms
and legs,
the tiny shoot
with nascent
dawn fresh
leaves…
give bath
religiously,
like the chosen
one to do,
you do it….
slowly, fondly
with care
take her
in your arms…
let the lullaby.
pulsating from
your heart,
its lilt, hover
around her.
She can well
absorb
its warmth…
subtly
put her,
stretch her
on to the
bath table…
remember
the modern
online, plastic
baby bath
stuff
are no way
near the
natural
areca nut
palm leaf
dry stem
serving
as bath tub,
the pristine
ways
of yore…
leave it..
times have
changed…
See! She is
still in her
sweet slumber.
now time
for your
oil massage.
the coconut
oil you prepared
carefully,
from grated
coconut juice
plodding
hours to extract,
boiling it
on fire, faggot fire
on a metallic
vessel
for long…
Yes, it smells,
smells
the raw earth
the fragrance
of pristine
warmth…
Take it in
your palm
rub it
start the
gentle massage
from tip
to toe…
you are
shaping her
out, her head,
fore head
all squeezed
in the process
of emerging
from the
womb…
her nose
fallen flat,
the mounting
upper jaw
short neck
the severed
umblical cord,
the invisible
chin,
arms, palms
legs and toes…
shape them
gently,
you are
the sculpting
out a future
beauty
of feminine
charm…
by now she is
half awake
enjoying your
creative touch…
rejoice!
you are her
first sculptor!
touching her
ear lobes,
titillate her
She, who has to
titillate
the universe…
she the creative
principle
of life…
Yes, she is
totally awake
now, speedily
moving arms
and legs
in the air
enjoying…
now time
for real bath,
covering her
with delicate
soap bubbles
pouring gently
water,
life giving
water,
over her
that energises
every cell
of hers…
it makes her
the essential
she,
the one
energising
the universe…
Hah!
after the bath
there she
lies,
no longer
the tiny
gossammer
thread
but the radiant
sun of early
morns
breaking up
sheaves of clouds
spreading
myriad hues
of brightness..
@
myna
