Second Winner of TATA Literature Live! 2015’s Creative Writing Contest: Faded Smiles

She sent her son, to far off lands

for degrees & better tomorrows

She lived alone, & aged alone

Behind her wrinkles, hid the sorrows.

Over the phone he said, “Maa, got the visa”

She knew now ‘months’ would be years Yet she made sweets of his choice

And shared them with the neighbours

He sent her a “phone”, as he couldn’t come

And said “whatsapp” me your “selfies”

She wore the brightest saree she had

And sent pictures of Faded Smiles.

"There is a time for many words, and there is also a time for sleep.”