Times gone by

Author: Preeti S Patnaik


The heavenly fragrance of the springtime
Along with the warmth of the sunshine
As the winter gave way, to spring and summer
We prepared for a journey, a two-month slumber


The rhythmic sway of the railway cars
Whizzing past the country, watched by the sun, moon, the stars
Towns, villages, rivers, mountains and ravines
We travelled through all to reach our safe haven


There under grandfather’s gaze and the grandmothers’ love
Roaming the family homes with cousins, it was time’s treasure trove
Sometime learning, sometime spent in mischief
It was time to return to Dilli, the city of my life


Then came the rains and the next step in life began
Each year was a new beginning, a pattern woven again
And the showers meant cocoa, tea and fritters
New uniforms and water bottles, new classroom and teachers


Rains gave way to a slight morning nip in the air
The fragrance, I think, came from the Himalayas afar
Then Dussehra and Diwali made my Dilli festive truly
But that also meant the first exam, performing at school, our duty


Winter was not so kind but still brought with it a magic
With mist and fog, Christmas, its solace therapeutic
Remembering all things at the year that went showed me
And waiting for what the New Year will bring, with glee


Years rolled by, they were mystic, but now are memories
I cannot bring back time gone by but I do dip into its glories
Now here I am in the south of this great nation
Its seasons and scents making a place in my emotion