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