City of Hope

This poem has been included in the unique anthology " Madras Hues- Myriad Views" brought out by the Indian poetry circle to commemorate the 380th birthday of Madras city. The members of Indian Poetry Circle contributed to this unique collection of poetry, prose, sketches and photographs. I recited the poem at the book launch function at Chennai on 11th August 2019.

The city of hope
if you prefer, the city of dreams
welcomed  generations of people
with open arms-embraced them
and changed their lives for ever!

The first metro of the south
has come a long way
starting out,  a sleepy village
transforming, to the alluring Madras
and then to the mega city of Chennai!

As I sit at the foot of an imposing statue
I beseech "Tell me dear statue, the tales of yore"
of young romantic couples, perhaps desolate clinging ones
of the weary old people who stopped awhile to rest
of the unemployed, frustrated youth
who stood up rejuvenated, breathing the city's air!

Then, Madras Nalla (Good) Madras
now Chennai, the protective old Chennai
set the kites in humans soar
the discouraged, marginalized, the weak
all stand up  strong,
rise  with confidence and optimism
in this city of Hope!     

https://www.facebook.com/rajeev.moothedath/videos/3046908848669865/  (Can listen to the recitation here)