As It Comes To Mind

The first thing that you noticed about her was her smile, And as soon as you spotted it, You knew you'd found a friend for life. Winsome and genuine, her eyes reflected it back, Giving her face an ethereal appearance, a sprite-like quality. Her frame too was small and slender And the lightness of her footfalls, a gentle reminder That her presence was always by your side, Whether you saw her or not. It was in the summer of 2002 that I first met her; Rather, the end of the hot summer And the monsoons just about to break out in full swing! I'd just entered my Journalism class on the first day And sat down at a table near the wall Away from the first-row benches that I so detested. The class itself was only half-full As the students gradually made their way in And the clock showed that there was a full 15 minutes Before the teacher arrived. It seemed that a discussion On the then President of India was going on. There was some confusion as to his initials

He came like a ray of sunshine, And stayed like a beautiful and rare rainbow Brightening up an otherwise cloudy period in my life. To the rest of my family too, He soon became an indispensible part of their lives. To anyone else, he was just a cat, But to us, he was a beloved companion, playmate and ultimately - family. I vividly remember the first time that I laid eyes on him… It was a late autumn afternoon and I sat outside my house Enjoying the warm sunshine and balmy breeze. In reality, I was supposed to be busy preparing For the never ending series of tests that are the part and parcel Of the life of an eleventh standard science student. As I sat with an open Biology textbook on my lap, Trying hard not to doze off, I heard the shouts and laughter of children a little way off. The sounds and shouts kept getting nearer, And I soon guessed that they were in pursuit of something. Thinking that it must be a dog, I was turning back to my book When I heard a distinc

The night was dark. It always is when there is no moon. I missed the moon - its brightness, its whiteness. My eyes wandered across the sky marveling at its vastness. It was then that I saw them -  The tiny specks of light twinkling away. The moon may be brighter, But she does wane And at times leaves the bosom of the sky. But 'tis the much dimmer stars Who stay with the sky all night long, Never leaving her side. I look up and smile... I have found something to admire after all!

You gave me life, Endured unspeakable pain And brought me forth from your womb, You sustained me and nourished me Physically and mentally Even when it gave you sleepless nights and fatigue, You remain a pillar of strength amidst the chaos in life You are my inspiration, my listening post, My guide and my pride. Mother, I am and always will be An insignificant part of you Always, a drop in the ocean that is you With gratitude and joy, your daughter.