Why I did not enter the temple...

I just stood back and looked at my Mom
As her face struggled to hide her mind’s storm
When she went in the temple, and I stayed out
“In a family that is so pious and devout,
Why did this son have to break the norm?”

“Oh God, he did accompany me all the way”
I knew she was pleading, as I watched her pray,
chanting myriad sholkas to ward off His wrath
since I had apparently dishonoured my holy jaath!
While she arranged the flowers on the puja tray…

I watched amused as she rang the temple bell
Presumably to save me from an eternity in hell
The huge brass thing went ding dong ding dong
Every ring resounding, to dispel my grave wrong
She stood there rooted, as if under a magic spell…

She asked “Why do you have to be so brash?”
as she smeared on my forehead some holy ash,
I just smiled, as she ran her hands over the lamp
And then over my eyes, while hers turned damp,
“who do you think you are, Ogden Nash?”

Now, why didn't I enter the famous temple?
The reason is pretty straight and simple;
before you go ahead and brand me an atheist
please note, outside, there was a visual feast
in the form of a goddess, with a cute dimple...