Today's Beautiful Gem: "From the poppy-bole", a lullaby by Sarojini Naidu.

"From groves of spice,
O'er fields of rice,
Athwart the lotus-stream,
I bring for you,
Aglint with dew,
A little lovely dream.

"Sweet, shut your eyes,
The wild fire-flies
Dance through the fairy neem;
From the poppy-bole
For you I stole
A little lovely dream.

"Dear eyes, good-night,
In golden light
The stars around you gleam;
On you I press
With soft caress
A little lovely dream."

Note: Besides being a great poet, a rousing orator and an ardent
patriot, Sarojini Devi was a tender mother. Her motherly qualities
came to the forefront during her imprisonment in the forties.
The Mahatma was put under arrest in the Aga Khan Palace in Poona
(Pune now!) along with Kasturi Bai, Mahadev Desai, Sarojini,
Sushila Nayyar (just then out of the medical school), Mira Behn,
and later Pyarelal. Mrs Naidu, then 64, took charge of the cooking
for the group on charcoal stoves catering to the dietary needs of all
including the sick. Don't forget Gandhiji and his experiments
with food (besides truth)! That was a trying period for all,
in particular to Gandhiji who lost his right hand (Mahadev) and
his life partner (Ba). She became the first woman governor of
any state in independent India when she took her oath of office
as the Governor of United Provinces (presently Uttar Pradesh).

om s'aantih: Peace! - J. K. Mohana Rao

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