When once she was questioned, “What is your profession?” “Well!” She replied humbly, “I am into homemaking!”
Again she was asked,
“What work has it cast?
You are just at home,
An excuse from load!”
Another exclaimed,
“You are so learnt
And yet you escape,
While you too could have earned!”
One added,
“Your poor husband,
Alone handles the stress
Of earning butter & bread, In a world full of mess!”
She smiled & replied,
“Yes, you all are right,
I too, could have stepped out And toiled in the sunlight!
I shouldn’t have bothered
For my ailing in-laws,
They will clean themselves When they lie in their own soil!
I shouldn’t have worried
That my kids had their food, I should have gobbled my share Just like my husband would!
I should have had a focus
With maids around,
No matter what ruckus
In my absence would be found!
No packing, No cleaning,
No cooking, No sewing,
No nursing, No teaching,
Oh! You are right,
It’s all my fault!”
-Mrunalini Chaturvedi