C h i l d h o o d 

 When  scent of ink reminds you
how your pen plodded through those 10th std maths notes
Fragrance of soil during first rain takes you
for a sail around your house  in paper boats...

Rose perfumes you the flavour
of an old little garden which was your heaven
Hot pakodas reminisce you
long evening walks after school with friends...

Odour of chlorine strengthens you again
for adventures in theme parks you once conquered
Word 'tea' cherishes memory of  favourite cup
that once encouraged you for  silly discussions ...
                                   
                                    Taste of raw mango paints you

on  sweet mango tree behind your house
Sight of fog and mist drives you again
through  brumous roads to a silent valley...

Side seat in bus brings to you
broken pieces of solitary childhood journeys
Your nick name pops up in you
quarrels n fisticuffs during hide-n-seeks...

Clinking coins reflects to you a face
Once followed vendors with enthusiasm
Even colourless photos burst out
spilling story of those colourful days...

Dissonant horn of steam locomotives
woozes through your ears
a fresh winte breeze,fondled
by tune of your favourite picnic song...

Song from a radio senses vaguely
that old dusty saloon and
a pair of scissors above you
only to frighten your innocent thoughts...

Senile gloomy toyshop sings tou you
ballads of its prosperity in melancholy
and how it cured your insomnias
with wnchanting dolls and cars...

Flames of candle attunes in your mind
forgotten b'day songs and wishes
with a hope to be swayed
by your breath,every moment...

At last when you believe
you conquered your bigger dreams,
some innocent characters crushed under feet
some simple wishes remained unfulfilled...
                
                A handful of words to the girl you loved
                          for years without her knowledge..
                 
                A handful of word to the parents who loved you
                           even before you started loving them..
                 
                A handful of words to the friends
                       who strangled you with care and affection....