HAPPY DIWALI




Diwali the festival of lights,
As kids, wearing colourful, new clothes bright,
Maa cleaning and washing,
People painting,
A scene of festivities in the house,
Smell of sweetmeats prepared, all the senses aroused,
Flowers and lightening of earthen lamps,
Lighting up the walls and ramps,
The beautiful rangoli, 
Bowing our heads to the Holy
Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha in obeisance,
Worshipping with great reverence,
The burning of crackers and distribution of sweets,
Wishing a Happy Diwali, in the neighbourhood and streets.



Slowly the traditions changed,
More than happiness, it's the gifts exchanged
That matter now,
How this all changed, no one knows how,
The earthen lamps and candles,
The colourful lanterns 
Were replaced by electric lights,
Whose flames do not flicker, just shine bright, 
The rangolis are now readymade stick ons,
No body now enjoys, everything appears to be put on,
Artificial and fake
Did overtake
Our lives, happiness changed, nothing old prevails,
Gifts sent online, Happy Diwali wished through e-mails.  


As a wife and mother
I still bother
To wish all my relatives personally,
So my children learn what we followed traditionally,
Rangoli is made, flowers are hung,
Earthen lamps lit, songs sung,
After the traditional worshipping and prayers
It is time to prepare
To share our happiness with 'everyone on the streets',
As we share the sweets, the small gifts,
The glittering, happy, smiling eyes bright,
Shine brighter than the brightest of lights,
Instead of the pomp and show of artificiality,
Sharing happiness, wishing everyone 'A HAPPY DIWALI!'

©Madhumita