Memory And Dream

I wish I could relive my childhood

Sprightly pure and innocent

Ready to defy the dictates

Of kings and lords, my own master

As I was: but how fast, before

I realised the days were gone

Leaving me memory stuck.

Now as I sit alone in my

Lonely room, like slides they come

In quick succession those glorious days

Inviting my lazy bones to go for

A swing ride to the open sky,

Rising to the tree tops and touching stars

And falling with a fearsome thrill

To land again on the soft grass

Playing hide and seek with

Heaven and earth!

It felt like yesterday sitting

In the corner of my room, mending

The racket broken by my brother

In a mock fight over the new cock-

Shouting – never to talk to me again

But when he hugged me from behind

My anger was gone the next moment.

I wish I was a kid again

Playing Kabbadi, Kho-Kho and

Badminton with all those who are

Now slow, busy and lonely

Recycling time to spring again

Singing tuneless songs to mock at

The fights of the high and mighty

And long for the mother’s lap

The celestial bed on earth

And sleep away the divide and rule

The games played by the fools

And wake up to a new world!