Hootoksi's poems from way back when
Hootoksi Tyabji
I started writing rhymes from a young age and it was only on the insistence of my dearest Phi masi that I began recording them in a note book that she gave me. It was because of her that these poems have survived!
A Child's Thoughts in Jabalia Refugee Camp
by Hootoksi Tyabji, Shah Alam, 15 November 2023
Painting – Silman Mansour
27th October 2023 - Israelis cut off power, water, and the internet to Northern Gaza
It felt so good for me to feel
So many arms around,
Sitti, Sidi, Ommi, Baba,
Their chatter the only sound……………
When little Laila began to shake,
Or Omar started to cry,
Their stories they came thick and fast
Of Olive trees that fly!
Of Alabaster statues
And carvings made of wood
Of keys that fit in locks somewhere
In houses where they stood.
Of memories stored deep inside
Brought out as now, at will
And listening there we soon forgot
The fear the bombs instill
My heart it sang and felt so warm
I dreamed of roses red
I didn’t see the gun as it,
Was Pointed at my head
I heard my Ommi scream out loud
My brother at her breast
My Siblings, Sitti, Sidi all
Sleeping, now at rest.
Then as I closed my eyes I saw
The soldier was a boy
He played with tanks and guns & drones
As I played with my toys
The air raids constant, bullets, bombs
Bodies in the ground,
Invincible seeds of resistance,
With which the land abounds
I slept in peace because I know
That One Day what is mine
Will be returned and we will LIVE
Forever …… Palestine
Sitti – Grandma; Sidi – Grandpa; Ommi – My Mother; Baba - father
My Daddy
Oh look Oh look the girls all cry
When they see my daddy passing by
He is as handsome as can be
Like a rare jewel from under the sea
And when we go out and people stare
I feel happy and I don’t care
He’s full of fun and we play the day long
Or sometimes sit and sing a song
My daddy is so good to me
I would not part with him for gold or money
He tells me he loves me so very much
But when I kiss him he says
"Hey, why the fuss?"
Bombay, 16th May, 1959
My Mama
If I didn’t have a mother
Oh lord where would I be?
For my mama is absolutely everything to me
I love her more than all the world
I know she loves me too
I wouldn’t change her for anything
Without her what would I do?
When I am sick and in my bed
I grumble and think of the past
And ma she pats my back and says
"Put the donkey last"
For all the gems and wonders of the sea
I would never part with my mummy
Bombay, 16th May, 1959
My Sister
Thank you God for giving me
A sis like my darling Sherry
I love her and she is all mine
A sister like her you’ll never find
Whenever I’m in trouble or pain
Or act up snooty and very vain
She tells me sternly "it’s not right"
And comforts me with all her might
She teaches me the good things in life
And she won’t let me play with a knife
I love her I love her I really do
And I know she loves me truly too
Bombay, 14th August 1959
My Brother
So naughty and wild and full of pranks
And his hobby is to collect stamps
And girls are people he cannot bear
Talks to me only because I am there!
I tell him "Wait till you’re sixteen or so
And you’ll want to marry a girl I know”
He walks away with a snooty air
And when we eat lunch, pulls out my chair
So down on the floor with a bump I go
And my bottom stays sore for a week or so.
My brother’s really naughty, but he has a kind heart
And I’ve loved him quite madly right from the start!
Bombay, 14th August, 1959
My Sister Sherie
She floats and glides into a room
This beautiful, tiny creature of whom
I know without a doubt that she’s
The most beautiful girl you’ll ever see
Her hair is black, her eyes are wee
She always cares for you and me
She smiles a smile that’s all her own
You want to love her alone
Her face it glows, her love it grows
She makes me tingle in my toes
I love her dearly she’s my sis
When we’re together it spells BLISS.
Bombay, 1960
Listening to you sing Mama
No sound has ever beenmade
More beautiful than this.
No nighingale or Koyal
Can bring my soulsuch bliss.
No water gurgling in a stream
No tinkling sound oif rain
No surf or soft breezes
Works such magic on my brain!
Oh, mama what a voice you have
I could listen to you all day
It makes me so happy to hear you sing
There’s nothing more to say!Listening to you sing Mama
My Sausage Dog Hapoy
Happy is a yard long
With floppety ears and two very big eyes
That twinkle and shine and sparkle
Brightly; he never cries
His nose is black and his legs are wee
He doesn’t walk, just waddles you see
He’s as sly as a fox and as slow as a snail
He loves to explore the rubbish pail
His favorite thing is to tug at a broom
Or to beg at your feet in the dining room
Whenever you scold him he looks at you to say
I didn’t mean to be naughty today
He’s fussed and petted, my, you should see
The way he’s loved by our family!!!
Bombay, 1960
Girls
Girls are kind and girls are sweet
Girls are pretty, girls are neat
Girls are lovely they are kind
Girls all have a sharp, keen mind
Girls are happy, girls are good
Girls they do what they should
Girls will love and cherish you
Girls do what they have to do.
Girls are witty, girls are bright
Girls they have a keen insight
Girls don’t walk, they always skip
And they never, ever gossip.
Bombay 1960
Boys
Boys are always on the wrong path
Boys are dirty, they never have a bath
Boys are silly, petty and glum
Their lives are so very hum drum
Boys need girls or they can’t live
Boys are stingy they never give
Boys are dumb and often rude
Boys can be so terribly crude
Boys disgust me, they always will
They talk of guns and kill, kill kill
Boys their life is a rushing whirl
They need to learn from girls, girls girls
Bombay, 1960
Who?
Who leads a blind man on his way?
Who makes the little children play?
Who do we go to when we’re in trouble?
And who gets us out of that big bad muddle?
Who make each little flower fair?
And the birds who fly in the sweet scented air
Who makes the rain and thunder and lightning?
That is so terrible, awfully frightening
Who forgives us one and all?
And if you let Him, prevents a fall
This great man you cannot see
He’s the one who made you and me!
Bombay 1960
Silly Ambitions
When I grow up I want to be
Like Mona Lisa or Sandra Dee
With hair that falls in beautiful curls
Eyes that sparkle and teeth like pearls
Another thing I would like to be
Is queen to Neptune under the sea
Or a dog who gets loved all day long
Or a famous singer with a famous song
Maybe it would be very good
To be a carpenter and work with wood
Or a poet, a teacher, a butterfly
So I could soar into the sky
15th May, 1961
We Are God’s Children
All the little children of God
Are perfect, good and true,
No one is good, no one is bad
No one cleverer than you.
We are God’s children and we must
Listen, watch and pray
To what we hear in our hearts
We must follow Him every day.
Now if you’re ever in trouble
And you don’t know what to do
Just leave it to God and sure enough
He will lead
Bombay, 1963
Very Hard To Buy
It doesn't cost a penny
But is very hard to buy
It lights up your face
But you can’t have it and cry.
When life feels very gloomy
And things keep going wrong
That is the time to test yourself
Can you put it on?
For if you wear a long face
You make others unhappy too
Just put it on all over your face
That’s all you have to do.
This little thing, what is it?
Just sit and think a while
What doesn't cost a penny?
Why, it’s a great big smile!
Kodaikanal, 27th April, 1964
The Sick Toad
I heard a sudden rustle
And I looked down on the floor
And there I saw a big fat toad
Looked sick just by the door
He was laying on his back
With his legs high in the air
And beside his fat belly
Was a huge big tear
The blood began to ooze
Now what was I to do?
I really don’t like frogs I was in
Quite a stew!
I shut my eyes and picked him up
He really got a fright
Perhaps I was holding him
A little bit too tight?
I laid him on the table
And got some cotton wool
Stuffed it into the cut
So far he was cool.
I bandaged up his belly
He really looked a sight
But when I finished with him
Very much to his delight
He hopped into the garden
With a big smile on his face
That wasn’t quite so bad I guess
All creatures have their place
Kodaikanal, 14th April, 1965
No God?
There’s something I don’t understand
It’s when some folks say
“There’s no such thing as God
I don’t need Him to go my way"
They are not looking all around them
Nothing catches their eye?
The flowers, the trees, the water, the birds
The sun the moon and sky?
It wasn’t science that made all these
But a power much greater at play
That orders all nature and dictates
There will be another day.
Look at yourself, the perfect being
So helpless and so small
Against the power of nature
We are nothing, nothing at all!
Kodaikanal, 21st August 1965
India
Once you live in India
You’ll never want to go
The bright colors, the sun, the smiles
The mighty rivers flow.
Once you live in India
Your heart lives there too
You’ll never want to leave her shores
To travel the world through.
Once you live in India
And hear the Koyal trill
And feel the throb of people
Can you ever have your fill?
Once you live in India
She becomes your home
Her music lives within you
Wherever you may roam!
Kodaikanal, 12th September 1965
Grand Being Alive
The wind blowing hard
The rush of the air,
Majestic trees
Some laden, some bare
The stars in the sky
The clouds up above
The birds soaring high
Singing songs of love
The trees so tall
Beginning to sway
The grass so lush
Cows munch all day
Water ponds clear
The river flows
Magical moments
In the sun’s glow
The bees they are busy
Building their hives
I think to myself
It’s grand being alive!
Kodaikanal, 28th October, 1965
Flora Fountain
Walking along a crowded street,
Amid the rush and crush of feet,
With people pushing everywhere,
No time to stop, no time to care.
No time to listen, no time to see,
The hand outstretched, the tragedy
The pleading eyes, the horror, the dread
Another day of hunger, no bread.
I cannot look, I turn away
I quicken my step, I cannot stay
And while my heart cries out in pain
My pity misplaced, my sorrow in vain
For right ahead of me I see
Along with pain and misery
A little face for just a while
I stop to stare - a radiant smile
For in their hearts these children know
A strength, a hope within, a glow
Bombay, 1966
When I Grow Up
I’m not that tall and I stand alone
On this amazing earth
Can I amount to anything?
What am I really worth?
Like the stars on the Milky Way
Will I ever twinkle and shine?
Will I trill like a bird spreading joy to all?
Or grow as a tree straight and tall?
Like the sun which gives life
Or the flowers shedding fragrance
Will I ever get to be
Someone, somewhere who changes things
Significantly
I know I am blessed with a mind of my own
With which I can think and act
What I do, who I am, where I go from here
Is my own doing, that’s a fact.
But besides my mind there’s my heart and I hope
That the two stay in tune and I play
The melodies of life harmoniously
As I dream through the night and dance in the day.
Kodaikanal, 1966
Early To Rise
I’m up in the morning
Everything is light
The birds are singing
The sun shines bright
The breeze blows soft
Sways trees aloft
The butterflies flutter everywhere
The flowers they wake
And are glad to see
The morning light, night is a memory
The stream’s bubbling over
I hear its song
It merrily sings
As it passes along
Come on, wake up
Walk out to meet
Nature in the mist
At your feet
Kodaikanal, 26th September, 1966
Bombay
It’s sticky and hot and bustly all day
The streets are jammed with cars
The office people hurry to work
They stay on for all hours
Flora Fountain where my dentist is
Appeals to all tourists but me
And on that great street is a great place
“Pundole watch shop and Art Gallery"
Bhindi Bazaar and Chor Bazaa
And Crawford Market too
Are filthy, dirty lovely places
Where people haggle the day through
On to Colaba Causeway
Where the streets are lined with shops
The Taj Mahal hotel, Electric House,
And the BEST bus stops
Going on further is Nepean Sea Road
The very best place in Bombay
Everyone loves it but I do most
For that is where I stay
Then following the sea past Breach Candy
And right from Cadbury Fry
Whizz up the flyover, watch out for cars
The way they drive you could die!
Hanging Gardens, beautiful, green
Gaze out, walk, run, play
My beautiful city, the place that I love
My hometown, my Bombay
Bombay, 4th November 1966
My Garden
I have a little garden with daisies growing there
And it is fringed all around with little roses fair
There’s an oak in the corner as big as can be
Which shades my garden with love for me
In the middle there’s a fountain, she throws her waters high
And a merry little stream that passes near by
The wind rocks all my flowers to sleep
And the sunbeams dance on the lawn.
The buzzing bee comes to drink her tea
From my flowers all day long.
The sparrow builds her nest in the old oak tree
While baby birds sing out merrily
Oh I wish I could stay the live long day
In my own little garden to play and play
Kodaikanal 1967
My Love For You
My love for you
Is taller than I am
It stretches miles and miles
Way beyond the sand
My love for you
Is deeper than the sea
It goes on and on and on
Into eternity
My love for you
Will follow you like a light
Through good and bad times shining
Forever bright!
For Shehernavaz’s 21st birthday
Kodaikanal, 9th February, 1967
Farewell PCK
I have had my best times in PCK
I woke up each morning to welcome the day
I have learned something good from every new sight
But I can’t express what I want to write
You have taught me everything I know
When I first came to say hello
I didn’t imagine that life would be
So pleasant and full, so lov-er-ly
And now my school days have drawn to an end
I feel sorry to leave all of you, my friends
But the road ahead from mile to mile
Is exciting and new and makes me smile
Whatever comes along the way
I will never forget PCK
And I firmly believe this is not goodbye
But the start of a journey under blue skies
May 1968
That Perfect Moment
It was a beautiful day
The mist blew rays of watery sun on my upturned face
I took a deep breath and
As the air rushed into my lungs
I knew this was living
I shut my eyes savoring the moment
I stretched out my hand
He took it, he held it, he loved me, he was mine
He smiled at me
And in that moment I knew without a doubt, this was the person
I wanted to share my life with.
He caressed me, then kissed my hai
He looked intensely, we breathed as one
He didn’t speak- but in our silence
We were United.
August 1970
For Michel
Rock with me my baby, just you and I
While I sing you a lullaby
Rock with me my baby, your spirit divine
Free forever to shine, shine, shine.
Your velvet skin, your angel smile
Your hair, your starry eyes
Reflect the light of God, Michel
My sweet and perfect child.
So Rock with me my baby, just you and I
While I sing you a lullaby
Rock with me my baby, your spirit divine
Free forever to shine, shine, shine.
And may the joy you bring to me
Never leave my heart
For this I know, I must let go
And we will live apart.
So rock with me my baby, just you and I
While I sing you a lullaby
Rock with me my baby, your spirit divine
Free forever to shine, shine, shine
Bombay, March 1973
For Farhad
Sleep long and sweet my angel child
Your eyelids resting on your cheek
Your rosebud mouth and black silk hair
Your chubby limbs, your smile so sweet
You are my heart, we beat as one
As you lie sleeping in my arms
May life be good, your passage safe
Whatever you choose, my precious son.
And will you ever know my love
So deep and unconditional?
Magic moments imprinted forever
In my heart, beyond all time.
You are my heart, we beat as one
As you lie sleeping in my arms
May life be good, your passage safe
Whatever you choose my precious son.
New Delhi, August 1975
Economics Exam
Sitting at my desk, gazing distractedly from page to page of economic jargon
Up crawls a cockroach, its whiskers twitching, it’s little legs running to catch an ant
I watch it disappear and wait for another distraction
I see sweat roll down my cheek
I hear Michel, Farhad delighting in the feel of water
I look again at my boots and turn away
My mind relates to nothing save the thought of you
I wait each morning for the darkness of the night
And know that in the passing of another day
You are closer to me
I long for you my Beloved
Robert travelled a lot and I stayed home with the children while I was pursuing my BA degree by correspondence. This was written while I was studying for an exam
New Delhi, 1977
At Chowpatia Gardens (Ranikhet)
Sitting here among the trees
Watching birds & flowers & bees
Looking around I shed all cares
Beauty abounds, it’s everywhere
Look there goes a dragonfly
Soaring, soaring up to the sky
While way down on the ground below
Pretty grasses and flowers grow
All around me everywhere
The fragrance of pine it fills the air
The butterfly with its colors bright
Flits about and catches the light
There is a spider spinning away
The wind in the trees, the leaves at play
It’s a wondrous world that holds the key
To life and peace and harmony
5th June 1978
Complaining to Rob
It’s such a hot and humid day
My mind relates to nothing
The boys are good but trying
Smiling now, then crying
The power cuts are crazy
They drive me up the wall
I sweat and stink and rave
There’s no relief at all!
The dog has gone dotty
The heat it drives him mad,
The cat her nose is snotty
The situation’s Bad
The mali’s getting cheeky
Our Mary cried & cried
The bathroom tap is leaky
The fishes, they all died
I need you more than ever
Feel crazy when you’re far
It’s true, maybe it's the weather
My place is where you are!
C-399 Defence Colony,
New Delhi, 1978
For Adil
As you lie sleeping in my arms
So perfect and so pure
This magic moment let it last
With me forever more
Your angel face, your dimpled smile
Your eyes they shine so bright
You bring such joy, my baby boy
Such love to all & Light.
And when you fly with your own wings
To live forever free
Wherever you go, you’re in my soul
For all eternity.
As you lie sleeping in my arms
So perfect and so pure
This magic moment, let it las
With me forever more.
New Delhi, November 1978
Scribbles on a Paper Napkin at Badar Chacha’s Party
There is nothing more amusing
Than a pack of grinning males
With their wives and so in diamonds
Always hanging on their tails
And a glass of whiskey handy
With a cigarette dangling too
And a nervous cough or splutter
Not knowing what to do
Were you at the party?
Where the ladies yapped away
And Mrs. X told Mrs. Y
What Mrs. Y should say?
And Mrs. Y being so polite
Her mouth was full of food
She opened it wide and spoke out loud
The outcome was quite rude
The moral of this ditty
Is quite simple and works well
Just be yourself, behave your way
Works best that I can tell
For you cannot be a poet
Or a writer full of charm
Just to please the place or people
Or the lady on your arm
You are unique, fantastic
In your own and special way
Why try to be the chap next door
It really doesn’t pay
Just fill your glass put on a smile
That is the party rule
And soon the word around the room
“Check that one out she’s cool!”
New Delhi, 11'th November, 1979
To Akbar
You sit beside my bed all day
Your eyes they tell me more
Than words or gestures ever could
What are you waiting for?
You seem to understand my pain
My loneliness you feel
The swollen gland won’t let me smile
My sickness you can’t heal.
Night gives birth to another day
But I see shadows pale
And then I feel your soft wet nose
And see your wagging tail!
I contracted mumps and was isolated from the children and from all visitors. Akbar was my constant and most faithful companion during those trying days.
Thimphu - 18th November 1982
To the Willow and the Pine
A month ago you looked so fine
Were tall and growing green,
And now your leaves have fallen off
You’re brown and look serene.
Outside I see the fields of rice
Ripening into gold
Farmers will come and cut you down
And soon you will be sold.
A rose deep red, standing alone
Your beauty all can see
But soon you’ll wither and then die
Lost to perpetuity.
I need to learn, absorb, observe
How nature spreads her joy
And life evolves, all things must change
And Love cannot destroy.
So all of nature teaches me, and I begin to see
The changes in my life as those
Of leaves being shed from trees.
Thimphu - 28'th November, 1982
For Robert
I walked along a stream
It sparkled clear and bright
I thought you like a stream
I want to hug you tight.
I walked under the stars
They radiated light
I thought you like a star
Love you with all my might
I walked among the trees
So tall without a bend
I thought you like a tree
My dearest love, my friend
I walked tall on the earth,
Dependable, forever
I thought you like the earth
Will love you forever.
Thimphu May 1982
Millenium Prayer
Help me God to see you everywhere
In all things that live and in those that die
Help me Lord to understand, that evil stems from ignorance
That suffering brings about personal growth
Help me God to know that
It is not my place to judge or have expectations of others,
To view every individual and myself
As part of you
Help me God to be content
To watch myself and be aware of what I say and do
To be ever thankful for my life
And its boundless blessings.
Help me God to be tireless in my spiritual practice
To chose right over wrong
To love, nurture and respect all forms of life
And in doing so may I in some small measure
Ever feel your presence in my heart.
Dar es Salaam, January 2000