Touch Elder's Feet

The poem takes on and discusses the blind following of old traditions being considered as good and the belief that youth is spoiled.

Touch Elder’s Feet

 

Beta, take the tea to the drawing room

First comb your hair and make a respectful smile

Serve the tea and touch their feet

Respect your elders, that is Indian style.

 

Heard my mother, as I always heed

Did the task, but it was a task indeed.

But a question had got stuck amiss

And it wouldn’t get off, until I wrote this.

Is the respect in the union of our hand and their feet,

Or is it in the sincere, honest and heartfelt greet?

 

“Youth is spoilt,” elders always complain,

“This isn’t modernity,” I don’t refrain.

Touching elder’s feet does no harm

It has been our culture since the time of Lord Ram.

But what is the meaning of the culture

If there is no respect in the heart,

We need to have the feeling

And not the idol on the cart!

Author's Note

Though the poem is about an Indian culture, but it has just been taken as a symbol for many other cultures in many other regions and religions which are blindly considered by their followers as being 'good' without reflecting about it. The lack of acceptance of new ideas have also been dealt with.

GLOSSARY -
Beta (Hindi) = son
spoilt = spoiled
Lord Ram = A Hindu God.

Reviews

[Kristin Lee]

Very interesting poem. I personally believe in respecting elders - if they deserve it, however, I also believe in understanding traditions and making sure they suite the times. There's no need to stand on ceremony, especially if it's out dated. And I personally can't stand feet. I won't even touch my husbands feet. There's no way in hell I'm touching some body else's feet. It doesn't matter if it's Lord Ram, the Dali Lama, or Jesus. It isn't happening. I'd gladly give them the shirt off my back or go to the ends of the earth to get them a glass of water...anything else to show them respect. But I am not touching someone's feet. Like I said...updated traditions.

[Shivam Murari]

I was waiting for this! This is so much of what I had in my head while I was writing this poem!Though, I do appreciate that there is no BIG DEAL for the believers to follow the tradition, what is the most important thing is are we really intending respect behind the actions?!
Thanks a lot great poet and thinker! :)

[Zoya Sahai]

It's a terrific poem. The point you've made with it is also very true. I personally respect this tradition of touching elder's feet, a lot. And definitely, it holds it's actual meaning, if done with love and respect from the heart. Good one!

[Shivam Murari]

Thanks a lot! I am glad you liked my piece :)

[Cassie]

Yes respect is earned. Good one

[Shivam Murari]

Thank you so much. :)

[Akshat♥]

So True...Firstly,I title really attracted me to your poem :)
I personally believe in touching parents feet :)
not always but whenever i have to start a long journey without them...
My good luck is that whenever i touch my parents feet ..everything seems so good
and every work will finish without having any trouble :)
Lovely poem Shivam...keep writing!!

[Shivam Murari]

Thanks a million, Akshat.

[Akshat♥]

you're welcome bro

[Shivam Murari]

: )

[Baby Ricochet]

Interesting piece to chew on. The old traditions being eroded by the modern world and the extremist ideologies that have risen in the face of a complex and difficult modern world. Least that's what I got from it.

[Shivam Murari]

Well, you got a lot of it! Thanks a lot Ricochet :)

[Rajat Chandra]

HATS OFF! ^_^

This carries a wonderful message... A message to stand as the base to the spirits of all of us :)

[Shivam Murari]

Thanks a million, Rajat! :)

[TL Boehm]

a wonderful poem infused with truth. Well done.

[Shivam Murari]

Thank you very much, great poetess :)

[anxia]

Super senseful poem. Appreciate you for writing this. Every one has to discern this especially the seniors and the teachers :P who almost die if they dont get wished.

[Shivam Murari]

Thank you so much Anxia :)

[smilempsn]

Nice on Shivam...

Being a girl, I can't much Touch my elder's feet.. Till a girl get married... But I surely touch my mother's feet whenever my vacation ends and I have to leave my home :)

Very well said..!!

'But what is the meaning of the culture
If there is no respect in the heart,
We need to have the feeling
And not the idol on the cart!'

[Shivam Murari]

Thanks a lot Smiles! Long time no see? How have you been?

[smilempsn]

..hehe.. It was not such a long :P
was here only.. somewhere :)

Yup I m fine.. what about you ??
Coke still not finished aa :P

[Shivam Murari]

No I am still drinking it! I love it so much! :P

[smilempsn]

..hehe.. ;) continue... :D

[Shivam Murari]

Taylor is the brand ambassador of Diet Coke *blush*

[smilempsn]

ohhhhhh... For real kya ??? :p
I didnt knew this fact :D

[Shivam Murari]

heheh! aur ni to kya. aise hi diet coke pi rhe hai?

[smilempsn]

..hehe.. Haan mujhe toh yahi laga :p
luks like Taylor herself will come to u, and ask u to share that brand ambasador tag.. Coz more than her, u are giving Diet Coke publicity :D

[Shivam Murari]

hahaha! I hope so! :P

[smilempsn]

:D :P

[Bowers]

i like this poem a lot, its quite thought provoking. i like the fact that its centered around the indian traditions, but yet resect is everywhere, its expected everywhere. Also i feel elders see youth as spoilt because society is changing in ways they do not yet understand, and may never understand and therefore perhaps they percieve the "new society" as a spoilt one, and thus making our generations and furture generations as such?
as i said, a great write

[Shivam Murari]

Thanks a million In the Dark! So you're an Indian?

[Bowers]

Your totally welcome :) and no I'm not an Indian :)

[Sharon L.H. Kelly]

Traditions are often carried out in heartless, robotic fashion. You captured this exceeding well. The accompanying pictures just added to this excellent piece.

[Shivam Murari]

Thank you so much, Sharon!