Touch Elder's Feet

Touch Elder's Feet

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

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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!



© 2013 Shivam Murari


Author's Note

Shivam Murari
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.

My Review

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Featured Review

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.

Posted 11 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Shivam Murari

11 Years Ago

I was waiting for this! This is so much of what I had in my head while I was writing this poem!Thoug.. read more



Reviews

Nice write,
Very thought provoking. We often move blindly through life and even our own cultures and world. We often don't ask enough questions, or more over the right questions perhaps. I have found a respect for all things, but also questions that come pinned to the notion as well. Interesting write. Thanks. Sorry about all my delays. I have a long next few days ahead of me in reviews and things.
Chris
100/100

Posted 11 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Shivam Murari

11 Years Ago

Thank you so much Chris! So finally a perfect review from you! Well, this is it then! I am glad I di.. read more
unsavable_soul

11 Years Ago

Lol, not up to me, just giving a thought...
The work speaks for itself.
Shivam Murari

11 Years Ago

haha! Thank you again! :)
Like itt
Its well written :)


Posted 11 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Shivam Murari

11 Years Ago

Thank you so, so much Mina! :)
Mina

11 Years Ago

Pleaasure :)
Shivam Murari

11 Years Ago

............. :)
Excellent, Shivam! This is a well written and thoughtful poem. Educational, and universal at the same time. All cultures and religions have their "elders", and while I agree with respecting these people, it is wise to ask ourselves why we do so - is it merited by all of them, in their imperfect humanity? Great read, well penned!

Posted 11 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Shivam Murari

11 Years Ago

Wow Rita you just said it all! You are so good, kind poetess. Thank you for coming around, reading a.. read more
Good point made! You have written something that most people now days choose to avoid. Excellent writing!

Posted 11 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Shivam Murari

11 Years Ago

Thank you so much Clare! I'm glad you liked my poem. :)
The concept of poem is just so different! i like that someone has such a beautifil poetic point of view.. loved reading it :)

Posted 11 Years Ago


Shivam Murari

11 Years Ago

Thank you so much Divya! I feel so flattered and encouraged by your reviews. Thank you so much!
Divya Punjabi

11 Years Ago

pleasure is all mine :)
Shivam Murari

11 Years Ago

...........:)
A good write and a nice topic top write on.......showihg respect to elders by touching their feet.....interesting read.Very well done, Shivam

Posted 11 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Shivam Murari

11 Years Ago

Thank you so much Onku! I'm glad you came and read :)
Showing respect with no hidden agenda, with feeling and meaning in your heart.. I like this piece, Shivam. I think it is so important for elders and youths to come together on a daily basis. They can teach each other so much! Angi~

Posted 11 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Shivam Murari

11 Years Ago

And I agree with you so much too! Angi! :) Thank you for reading :)
Splendid read and write. Thank you for sharing. Namaste

Posted 11 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Shivam Murari

11 Years Ago

Thanks a lot Brandon! Namaste :)
Good thought process. Respect should come from heart, but have you ever felt that when anyone wishes you, if the person is not your arch enemy, that one moment you smile or reciprocate from heart, well I guess that is it. When we bend down to touch the feet of our elders good wishes flow down to us too. Whatever said or done its true the the positive vibes do flow around. [and bending is an exercise too :) ]

Posted 11 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Shivam Murari

11 Years Ago

Wll then, you've very well got the motive of my poem, Prritiy! That's what I want to show. It is ver.. read more
Prritiy

11 Years Ago

:) Yes- More reality in the form of ethics!
Shivam Murari

11 Years Ago

.................. :)
i like this very much...I hope you shared this with your own people who can understand the true meaning..respect of ones elders is a given in any society I believe...to honour them is not done anymore by many youth and this is sad. This is so well wrtten and would look good hanging in a school or a place where youth assemble.

Posted 11 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Shivam Murari

11 Years Ago

Thank you so much Carol! I appreciate you coming around and reviewing it! :)
Shivam Murari

11 Years Ago

*for coming around. My bad!

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3067 Views
50 Reviews
Rating
Shelved in 1 Library
Added on July 13, 2013
Last Updated on October 26, 2013
Tags: Touch Elder's Feet, Respect, Honour, Greet, Modernity

Author

Shivam Murari
Shivam Murari

India



About
Shivam Murari is a student, currently aspiring to get into a good college. He loves to write poems, loads of them. He usually gets very random ideas, which he thinks are pretty cool, and in the proces.. more..

Writing

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