JUST IN CASE
(In Memory of Chitrangada K.)
- Tapan Kumar Pradhan (India)
Just
in case you find this world
just too much a burden for you -
Desperate
moves for reconciliation
uninvited guests, the unending list
Of
old phone numbers, anniversaries
appointment diary, the mandatory
Office
time kiss, the routine pills
when lengthening shadows become frightening –
You
can always my dear, find the path,
always come back to me.
***** ***** *****
Just
in case you find this life
just a meaningless pursuit for you –
Frantic
rush to kindergarten,
the cutlery, toilet, then getting late
For the
eight-fifteen, then ten to five
and
rushing back, the evening
Parties, sleepless
nights, when tomorrows
lacerate
you in your dreams –
You can always my
dear, hark back a while,
and
revive certain memories.
***** ***** *****
Just in case you
find it alone
in
this vast, vast world around you –
Despite the teeming
streets, the Sunday parks,
the
familiar laughter of college day
Acquaintances, droll
bedroom talks
and the empty tea cups invading
Your
afternoons – though far away sure,
you can share your silent reveries –
Just in case the far away stars
seem oblivious of you.