The Horizontal Journey

As evening strolls in
My mother used to light deepas (tiny oil lamps)
To put them in different parts of the home
Outside and inside
Lighting one from another as she went
When there was a wind
She used to cover the lamp carefully
With her sari’s end

Like that lamp
We are here
Kindled by the love of our parents
With their care and sacrifice
We are who we are.

Finally we feel like grown ups
As you
Our sweet lovely daughter
Touch the shore of the ocean
Of being a woman

With all our love, care and wishes
Your steps will become stronger as you travel
And one day
Pass on the light to the next in line
As we look at you
With pride, satisfaction
Joy and love
And tender feelings
Of passing on the light
From the time immemorial to the eternity
By you, my girl
My daughter
Now my friend
Ankita.

((*.*))

babru

2007