Gratitude for Two Homes
by Meenakshi Ashok Varadhan, Kilvington Grammar School
Finalist, Years 3 – 4, written poetry
My story of India fading away,
Filled with busy bustling buzzing roads.
Lively with action,
I want the memory to stay,
And never go away.
The jagged bumpy rubble roads,
Holding the weight of jammed up motorbike,
Bumper to bumper, tyre to tyre.
Concrete madness cracked and broken,
A memory of gratitude awoken.
The aroma of spicy temple cuisine,
Flavours wafting through my nose.
Complex compelling creative tastes and textures,
Families sharing a special jive,
Grateful connected culture alive.
Temples bright colourful and gleaming,
With giant golden brass bells ringing through the night.
People filled with gratitude praying to decorated gods,
Necklines dressed in jewels of flowers,
Voices chanting songs and prayers.
Another country far away,
With its centre marked by a defining red rock.
Interesting, deadly creatures lurking through its nature patched land,
The Murray River flows boldly through the banks of the south,
Natures gifts, in India my country of birth and here now my home- Gratitude for both.
Together they’re both nearly the same,
But different in many ways.
India, my country of creation,
Australia, my home of celebration.
Want to read more poems? Explore the other Years 3 – 4 finalists.