Home

Maa, it's like this

That although you are no more

I miss you all the more

And it has been so

For the past fifteen odd years.

It's like you've never left. 

I speak to your photograph sometimes

The one that I've kept

In the Puja room

Removing the garland while

cleaning it.

I pour my heart out.

I know you listen too

On the other end.

My tears have stopped flowing

sometimes back

Now there are new things to cry about. 

Miss you and funny

I still do after fifteen years

Remember your pats and shouts 

Your slaps and growls

Sorry roars Maa, your roars

You the lion and me the goat.

For one day, just a day

If I could hear you shouting 

again

Would make my day

Atleast you will be there

And that is enough

There I'm at home, Maa;

I'm home. 

Now I've no place that beckons me

Just a few walls, some windows

And that tube well.

People don't want me anymore

I on my part don't ask them to

Let them be at bliss

I've memories of you

To last me a lifetime

That's my home.

Hope you aren't getting tired

Of my monolog, are you?

You slapping me enraged 

And the little he crouching under the sofa

In fright, still brings a smile 

During my dark days. 

Oh! by-the-way did I ever tell you

You always reminded me of 

The Divine Durga

Her idols still do

The hair, the complexion, the fierceness 

And your name which is one of her's too

All remind me of you. 

The little things you did

And those that you didn't 

Are all so you

Could hear you when

You didn't utter a word 

Could see through your pain

Your tears made me cry too

Yes, they did Maa

Like that day in the orphanage

You wept, seeing the plight of those girls

I wept along with you

Your battles, your strife 

Unnerved me and made me too

Made me who I am

With all my strength, weaknesses

And values. 

Memories, I have so many of them Maa

So many of you

And I call that my home

My home Maa

My memories of you.