A plantation Child

Enjoy:

A Plantation Child

Mist greeted her every morn when she woke
to the crowing of roosters ushering in a new day
A sleepy-eyed child became awake
beholding her mother’s face, fey, her hair grey.

Tenderly, step by step, they tottered through the twilight
Towards a small wash-house, dimly-lit by a single 40 watt bulb
Lovingly she prepared her child to greet a new day that await
Her gentle maiden, her life and soul, her golden cherub.

Garbed in her blue checkered baju kurung, her eyes gleaming,
Two red-ribbonned pony tails, a dab of talc, and time ticked on fast.
Later, humming to herself, she sat on a stool patiently waiting
on her mother as she went about preparing their morning repast.

The obedient old Honda waited to transport her with speed
Her Abah, a fine salt and pepper of a man, was her chauffeur
Onward Ho! The Prim Princess rode on her trustworthy steed
The wind ruffled her hair and in her wake the scent of flower.

Her chariot dropped her off in the shade of a bower
Her lithe little feet bounced her up to her daycare
He eyed her meandering her way up to her white tower
His was a silent prayer - may she prosper – may she be fair.

Up in her tower the little girl looked around, in time
To see her father remount his faithful old Honda.
Fare thee well Abah, a hero, unsung, past his prime
His essence however, for her a supreme grandeur

There was that permanent smell all about her: That pungent smell
of dried latex that refused to wash off all that the village could contrive
She didn't mind, not in the least; for she associated with that aroma well
It was the scent of well-being; the fragrance of hope; the bouquet of life.


Lambert
16/04/2015