I remember an evening when my feet kissed the damp soil My long dark hair flowing down in glossy coils The earth being passed on to summer from spring Aroma of baby mangoes and the cuckoos’ calling A garland of fresh white jasmines pinned to my hair A trail of the scent followed me everywhere. I carried a large book in my arms It told me tales of uncountable charms; In our garden I spent my evening Reading about kingdoms and kings Time stopped yet flew as ever. Each moment I delightfully savoured. I imagined myself trapped, like the princess In the tower, the damsel in distress, I could almost see my prince slay the beast The story ended with our wedding feast. I remember the evening when I closed my book of tales And returned to my dingy room, untidy and stale Maa and Baba raising their voices across the thin walls Happily ever after, I knew, was false Maa chided me for reading fairy tales She said it was time for me to read something else After all I was a girl growing up And dreaming was indeed not enough. I put away the book one day To ground myself in reality. Days and years and lives have passed I wonder if I did grow up. I say I don’t believe in fate But deep inside I think I may I’ll tell no one, but I think I’ll wait For my saviour, my soulmate.
mimimusing 