Family Photograph & Voices of the Past
Family Photograph
smooth to the finger paper-thin and silent
the past comes back to life almost untouched
barely a few specks of dust hanging in mid-air
high above the river (was it the Godavari ?)
children’s faces floating one quiet evening
eagerly awaiting their future
and so many years to come
they sit in a long-gone boat
my mother among them
(Jivah’s arm wrapped around her)
so much younger than I can ever be
their eyes brimming with light
an unknown house stands at the back
what makes those dark trees
arching over the water so familiar
although I have never seen them?
precious scenes adrift for years
in the deeper currents of my days
carried by her voice
as she told me about her past life
beyond oceans I could not imagine
precious scenes smooth to my fingers
shining bright into what was her night
they ultimately become mine
a light to hold in my hands as I go
Voices of the Past
we walk on in the dark
forever unfolding the past
as in the pages of a worn book
close to the tall whispering trees
at the back of the garden
brushing the tips of our fingers
along scented barks and thick leaves
in search of verses
spelt in a lost alphabet
adult voices rang late into the night
lulling us to trustful sleep
we did not always understand
their words echoed by the breeze
in an empty veranda
could they ever be forgotten?
as the present recedes
a promise to be fulfilled
and an unsolved puzzle
