Story Poem - The Lost Slipper

THE LOST SLIPPER

- A Poem By Varalotti Rengasamy

I

The sky was blue, and the grass green.

The distant mountain had a watery sheen.

Sat I under a pupil tree

Surrounded by nature and my mind free.

But soon came a fear of my future

That I asked Mother Nature:

‘Talents have I in plenty.

But my pot of luck is ever empty.

So what’s the fun, why should I work,

When I got no smile from Lady Luck?’

Nature whispered through a breeze

‘I am no God, I can’t give you luck or a boon

But you will have an answer soon.’

II

Travelling was I in a train

That went across the west terrain

So many people were in it

That none of us could move a bit.

On the footboard did I sit,

The place was the best, fine and fit.

After a while the train slowed down,

As we reached a little town.

I stood up and then found

My left slipper was not around.

‘What’s the use of the right one left,

When left is the victim of a theft?’

So I thought; the train moved fast

Over a river that went past;

I threw the only slipper I had

Both of them were thus lost and I was a trifle sad

Soon we stopped in another place

Where life was in a faster pace

As I moved, what I saw!

My lost left slipper, ha! ha! ha!

It was there I know not how

What can I do with that now?

So when the train picked up speed,

I threw that also and paid no heed.

III

I heard a whisper in my ear,

‘Is my answer rather clear?

When you started on your journey

You had luck and talents many

Not able to see your luck,

You threw your talents and your work.

Now luck is back with you again.

Without talents what do you gain?

And in this you are not alone

Many are those who always mourn

Their luckless state and throw their skill

And wait for luck with time to kill

To hasten luck they change their name

Or look to stars to shift their blame.

And if only they all know

That luck favours those who glow

With drops of sweat on their brow

And those who act and those who dare

To move the mountains through the air

They will fear not the present or the future,

For I will be with them’, said Mother Nature.

‘And what’s more important my dear son,

They won’t have to lose their

slippers to learn the lesson.’

Hello Sridhar,

Another beautiful contribution from u and this time with a poem with such simple words but with an intense, in-depth meaning........ unfortunately, there are a lot of them u throw away their slippers of talent and work and just rely on luck which will never favour them....... One thing that ur poem infers, "THERE'S NO SHORT-CUT TO SUCCESS" and I definitely believe in it Sridhar..

Also, what comes easy goes easy....... what u earn by hard-work stays with u always - it can be money, fame, relationships, etc.

That was really Good To Read and would like to see more of ur poems in this section........

I was always frightened of writing poems. This poem was born when one of my friends narrated the slipper incident. Basically I wanted it to be for children and so I included the 'twinkle twinkle little star' type of rhyming.
Thanks a lot for spending time on reading the poem and thanks again for your prompt post and nice words,
sridhar

The poem began in a mundane almost drab manner - blue sky, green grass, Peepal tree; after two stanzas the tempo picked up and I particularly liked the last ten lines. Most people wait for Dame Luck to shine on them - not realising that luck comes to those who work diligently and utilise their inherent talents. The parable in poetry form is very effective and the message comes out lucidly. College level students should read and ponder over this poem - because they have a long way ahead and shouldn't fritter away their time.
A little bit of trimming, using more expressive and creative language and voila, a poet to reckon with - Varalotti is born!
keep writing!
Sharada

Sridhar,

I must say that was a a very sensible poem. Simple words which can be comprehended by a non-poetic mind. The lines i loved the best in ur poem were these "As I moved, what I saw! My lost left slipper, ha! ha! ha!"

Believing in our innate strengths and looking forward to success without getting disheartned by the stumbling blocks on the way is a very tough thing to do and ur poem motivates the readers to try not to get disheartened by bad fortunes.

In all a good one.

Thanks a lot for your time and reading the poem and sending in your comments. Prathi, those are also the lines that I liked. Finding no word to rhyme with saw I used ha ha. Sharada, thanks for your tips in improving my poetry-writing skills. But I gave up on poetry a long time ago - reason I am always lavish with words. In the place of ten words I use a hundred. Poetry demands lesser and lesser words and more and more meaning. I always love to repeat the words of my devoted fan " sridhar, your prose is poetical but your poems are prosaic." The first half is borne out of genuine affection and sincere friendship; the second, based on solid facts. I wrote this poem long time ago.
thanks once again for your time and comments.
sridhar

Another nice write up from you. I enjoyed reading that poem..so simple and yet so profound. And how I wish I had read it when I was young and rearing to go?:) All the same, I can still find use for it in that I quote it, with your permission(??), in cards and wishes that I may extend to young people:)

Thanks Kamla for those nice words. Yes, you may quote it wherever you want.
sridhar

Dear Sridhar

Good to read your thoughts in this genre too....'poet Varalotti' who has been latent all the while has emerged...this is a charmingly nice and en effective poem which can be sung or narrated easily with its lyrical quality ( though may require fine -tuning and trimming as Sharada said ! you should take a little help from veteran poets whom you know )

To respond to a situation and to metophorically 'tell' it in poetry form is not an easy task...you did it...great way to go...proves your versatility and eclectic creative energy.

Loved the message in the poem, may use it in my writings...of course with due credits to you sir..

ambika

It was nice of you to have been so generous in your praise. As you and Sharada advised, will take advice from a veteran poet for fine-tuning with the words. (see the title of this message)

Who knows, praises coming from many of the members may eventually force me to pen another poem. Oh My God! Have mercy on the members of this great site!

sridhar