Train halted with a jerk
was racing for fun,
not many on board
rattled in to the station….
She hopped in…
Her growing feet
sticking out
of dusty sandals,
though worn out
Her uniform speck and clean
water bottle sticking out
backpack dangling
with books
sparse and few,
and a small tiffin
for the girl growing tall,
with sparkling eyes
and sprint in her gait
wide smile stretching
across her thin long face,
winter morning chill….
black, red and white
wool in her coat
knitted tight,
hair in a pony
held neat
in a red velvet band,
our second meeting this was….
a week before
and today
in the same coach
she and me,
beaming happiness
her eyes and face
lit n’ brilliant,
as she spoke of dance
contest in her school,
lingering pride
one week old,
a million things
her gestures told,
unexpected encounter
the cohesion mutual,
we got off ….
destination same,
finding hard to walk away,
she almost stumbled
looking back at me,
I held her quick
and walked with her,
swing in her ponytail
confident gait,
to the fork on the bridge
where she turned right,
left me with a glance
eyes twinkling bright….
© Dr. Swati A Gadgil , All Rights Reserved .
The words tumble between the awe of an encounter. Awesome.
Thank you Nisha . Your words mean a lot to me
My expectations as a a reader were more than a little heightened by the title ( from Paula Hawkins’ international best selling crime novel). The author with inimitable poetic acumen did not disappoint with a thoroughly engaging and vibrant piece.
Thank you so much dear Louis. Your response means a lot to me. I always wait to read your comment. Thank you once again.
Very beautifully captured the encounter it was quite visible. A great piece of work.
Thank you for your response. It means a lot.
The narrative flows like a piece of fiction, no doubt, blending the mundane and the extraordinary in one go.
Thank you so much for your feedback. It’s encouraging
A ” brief encounter” that leaves a lingering memory.A visual feast.
Thank you Vijay sir. Do help me to improvise my skills