My Beautiful and Witty Mother

My mother’s soft, glowing face radiates a timeless beauty,
Reminding me of the delicate blush of lighter pink rose petals in full
bloom.
Renowned for her sweet, infectious smile,
She never wavered in her dedication to our family's well-being!

With a passion for decorating our home,
She found joy in shopping
At the vibrant Dhaka New Market
And the bustling streets of Mymensingh Town!

Each outing was a treasure hunt, where she meticulously selected items
That would enhance our space's aesthetics
And bring warmth and comfort to our daily lives,
Transforming our house into a cozy haven!

I can vividly picture her carefully curating her finds,
A sleek, modern stove with two ovens

That promised delicious family meals
Even on the stormiest days!
Alongside it, she collected two stunning melamine dinnerware sets,
One in pastel hues and the other in cheerful orange,
Each piece transforms our dining table
Into a picturesque setting!

Her elegant brown tea sets were a staple during gatherings,
While inviting golden and red rimmed glassware
Added a touch of whimsy to our soft drinks,
Embodying her exquisite taste!

A beautifully ornate decorative glass jar
Sat gracefully in our dinner wagon in the living room,
Breathing charm and character into the space,
Her selections extended to fine chinaware that spoke of sophistication!

Alongside sturdy, small coffee-brown leather suitcases,
Designed to carry our schoolbooks, blending practicality with style,
That helped us to reduce the load of carrying books, copybooks, and
tiffin,
She was so thoughtful!

She even treated herself to a few suitcases of her own,
Each reflecting her keen sense of fashion and utility,
Managing a bustling household of nine children with the dedicated
support of a few domestic helpers,
She transformed chaos into organized harmony!

Despite the whirlwind of daily life,
She welcomed guests with remarkable grace and warmth,
Turning our home into a vibrant gathering place bursting with laughter
and love,
It was nothing short of extraordinary—a testament to her nurturing
spirit!

One of her cherished pastimes was crafting,
She poured her heart into creating beautiful handmade blankets,
intricately woven jute wall hangings, and delicate palm leaf fans,
Each piece was a testament to her creativity and boundless love!

My mother had a deep affection for roof gardening,
Cultivating an enchanting array of vegetables
That flourished under the sun,
She planted the seeds and watered them daily with her assistant!

Each evening, she dedicated her time
To nurture her vibrant flock of colourful pigeons,
Their feathers glisten in shades
Of iridescent blue, green, and copper!

She would gently scatter grains and fresh water for them,
Engaging them in soft, soothing conversations
Filled with warmth and care.
Her love for animals extended beyond the rooftop!

My mother adored her furry companion,
A playful kitty that would dart around her feet.
She fed her sweet water, milled fish,
And called her sweetly “pussycat”!

Among her cherished pets were several beautiful mockingbirds,
A lively Maynah and charming Parrots that filled our home with their
joyful chatter,
They spoke with my mother and lifted her spirits
When she was weary from daily chores!

Whenever I would call out to her with affection, "Mooma, mooma,"
The parrot would affectionately mimic me,
Echoing the sweet sound of her name
In a melodic chorus of "mooma, mooma!"

Beyond her artistic talents, she was also a savvy businesswoman,
Her keen financial insight enabled her to invest wisely,
Gathering resources to purchase properties
That would secure our family’s future!

My mother was a British Indian woman
Hailing from the lush landscapes of Assam,
In the tumultuous aftermath of the 1947 partition of India,
She migrated to East Pakistan with my father,
Leaving behind her homeland.

The echoes of loss haunted her,
She had tragically lost her parents and siblings,
Standing as the sole survivor of her once vibrant family,
She felt like a refugee in a new country!

My mother’s journey of immigration was fraught with challenges,
A poignant saga of solitude in a foreign land,
Even as she navigated her new life,
The burdensome memories of her past never truly left her!

Despite the weight of her painful history,
She exhibited remarkable resilience,
Embracing her new family and in-laws
With unwavering perseverance!

Through sheer determination,
She forged a path forward,
Layered with the complexities of grief
And the hope for a brighter future!

My mother’s independence was a powerful lesson for us,
Her tenacity and resilience made her outstanding,
This exemplifies how determination and hard work
Patience and tolerance can lead to family success!

My mother was a self-taught luminary, mastering reading and writing
through her own effort,
She took immense pride in guiding my education,
Especially in math, when I was just a primary school girl,
Illuminating my path with her wisdom.

I fondly recall lazy afternoons
Spent molding clay into whimsical dolls and boats
For my creative classes,
With endless patience, she guided me through each artistic endeavor!

She showed me how to paint our creations
Using homemade vegetable dye,
And place them beneath the sun to dry,
Making every step a joyful journey.

Above all, she embodied a serene
Yet, steadfast demeanour,
Balancing kindness with a firm approach
To our education and upbringing.

She emphasized the importance of speaking pure Bengali,
Instilling in us the values of good manners,
The necessity of learning Arabic,
The significance of prayer and fasting,
And the discipline of timely studies!

To encourage adherence to her high standards,
She ingeniously offered incentives—a quarter here, a dollar
there—Making it a delightful challenge for us
To speak clearly and avoid the local dialect!

My mother was nothing short of a remarkable woman
Through her unwavering love and insightful guidance,
She not only shaped my childhood but also moulded the person I am
today,
Leaving an indelible mark on my heart!

Pamelia Riviere

"My Beautiful and Witty Mother"

My mother's soft and glowing face tells how lovely she was,
She was as beautiful as lighter pink rose petals,
She was known for her sweet smile,
And never weary of any family matters!
My mother had a passion for decorating her home,
Shopping, particularly at the vibrant Dhaka New Market
And the bustling Mymensingh Town,
She created a home, sweet home!
I vividly remember,
How she carefully curated her purchases,
Selecting items that would bring comfort in our daily lives,
And style our home!
Among her treasures was a sleek modern stove with two ovens,
Perfect for preparing our family meals on a stormy day,
Alongside two lovely melamine dinnerware sets, pastel and orange
That brightened our dining table!
She also bought elegant brown tea sets,
Inviting sorbet glassware for soft drinks,
And a stunning decorative jar
That added a touch of charm to our living room!
Her choices extended to chinaware
That spoke of sophistication,
And durable coffee brown leather suitcases
To carry our books to school!
In addition, she treated herself to a few suitcases,
Each reflecting her taste in fashion and function!
Her ability to manage our household of nine children,
With the help of a few dedicated domestic assistants!

Despite the chaos of daily life,
She welcomed guests with grace and warmth,
Transforming our home into a lively gathering place,
It was nothing short of extraordinary!

One of her cherished hobbies was crafting.
She poured her heart into creating beautiful handmade blankets, Intricate jute-made
wall hangings, and delicate palm leaf fans,
Each piece reflected her creativity and love!
Not only was she an artist at heart,
But she was also a savvy businesswoman,
Her keen financial acumen
Allowed her to invest wisely!
She gathered money and purchased properties
That would add to the family's future,
Her independence was a powerful lesson for all of us,
Showed that determination can lead to success!
My mother was self-taught,
Mastering the art of reading and writing on her own,
She took great pride in educating me,
Specifically teaching me math when I was just a primary school girl!
I fondly recall that afternoon,
Spent moulding clay into dolls,
And boats for my creative classes,
She guided me patiently!
She showed me how to paint these creations
And then place them in the sun to dry,
Making each step of the process,
A joyful experience!
Most importantly,
She embodied a calm and peaceful demeanour,
Yet, it maintained a strict approach
When it came to our education and upbringing!
She emphasized the importance of speaking pure Bengali,
Instilling values of good manners,
Learn Arabic and practice fasting and prayers,
And timely studies!

To encourage adherence to her standards,
She often offered incentives, quarters and a dollar,
Making it a fun challenge for us
To avoid the local dialect, communicate clearly!
My mother was a fantastic woman,
Through her unwavering love and guidance,
She shaped not only my childhood,
But also the person I have become today!

2025-05-31