This time when I'm home

This time when I’m home,

I will rewind to a decade ago,

And redo the life Shillong gave me a chance to know.

I will wake up early and face up to the pure morning chill,

And do everything that 10 years ago, was part of my normal drill.

I will undertake that walk across the green expanse,

And trek up the hill to hear birds put me in a trance.

This time when I’m home,

I will reopen my cabinet, and glance through books on Maths and grammar,

And go visit the school auditorium to recall my first speech – one of nervous stammer.

I will walk onto the school cricket field and in the ‘catch it’ wails of those there,

Will recall the last-ball victories and first-ball ducks lodged in memory somewhere.

This time when I’m home,

I will lighten my burdened spirit in the Cathedral’s silent hour,

And meet the blind ‘beggar’ outside, who strums magic on his aged guitar.

This time when I’m home,

I will give my mother my ears,

And let her vent the pent up emotions of five distant years,

I will do everything to add to her glee,

Be it gardening with her or making her a cup of warm tea.

This time when I’m home,

I will retire from the maddening race and pause awhile,

And let life walk with me, instead of chasing it across the leisurely mile.