I came home again today,
From the green valleys of the Himalayas,
Jumping from one ground transport to the other,
To keep pace with the mind,
Which always preferred the aerial route,
To get immersed in the warmth of home.
The jeeps and buses, overflowing with passengers,
With drivers drenched in tobacco or more,
My fellow gullible, yet happy, citizens,
With souls clinching their emaciated bodies,
Always welcomed me and made space for a hosteler going home,
As I meandered down to catch “a” train.
The 26 KMs from Dwarahat to Ranikhet was a test,
For the mind and the body,
The eyes trained on every bend,
The mind knew when the journey would end,
But the bowels drew little solace,
From that knowledge or from the snow clad views.
Ranikhet was always a welcome stop,
From happy memories to a working phone line,
It had everything a tired mind needed,
If only that was home as well,
But it did give me that one phone call,
To let them know, that I would be home soon.
Wandering the crowded market street,
Exploring new sweet shops,
Checking out the movie theater,
Resting my bowels for the road ahead.
Ranikhet seemed so relaxed and beautiful,
But only when I was on my way home.
So many thoughts, and I have only covered 26 Kms,
Suffice to say, the views, the thoughts, the stops,
All gave me good company as I traveled home,
Never for once thinking,
That I would be retracing the route on the way back,
To the world where I would learn, how to make a home.
Many years later..
The journey is still arduous,
Suffice to say, the views, the thoughts, the stops,
All give me good company as I travel home,
Never for once thinking,
That I would be retracing the route on the way back,
To the world where I have another home.
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