By Vidya
Those beautiful days of childhood
Never return again.
Even in the twilight of old age,
They flash across the mind once again.
Being the centre of attraction
In a loving, closely-knit family,
Everyone cared about my wishes,
Surrounding me with affection and warmth.
What I liked to eat or avoided,
What pleased me the most,
Which colour suited me best,
And what hairstyle looked lovely on me.
Grandmother, Mother, Aunt and Bua,
Would discuss among themselves,
How best to dress me up,
Always trying something new.
I felt like a princess of some kingdom,
With everyone ready to serve me.
Whenever I learnt something new,
All the elders marvelled at me.
My favourite things were always
A part of every moment at home.
Everyone kept wondering together,
What could they offer me to make me eat?
Being the eldest child in the family,
I received an abundance of love.
I remained the apple of everyone’s eye,
The cherished darling of the entire family.
Milk with paratha, or flattened rice with curd,
I relished eating with great delight.
But as soon as I felt full,
I would rush away from the kitchen.
“My tummy says that’s enough now,
I cannot eat any more!”
My friends are waiting outside to play;
I must hurry out and go!
Even today, I cannot forget
My grandmother’s boundless affection.
Calling me her little naughty darling,
She would lovingly tie up my unruly hair again and again.
Reading, writing, dancing and singing,
Learning alphabets, devotional songs and prayers,
Listening every day to the same old tale,
Of the little bird and the king’s promise.
Sparrows, crows, parrots and mynas,
Gradually, I learnt to recognise them all.
Whenever they came into the courtyard,
I would call everyone to come and see.
Imitating the sweet voice of the cuckoo,
Its melodious koo-koo song,
Sometimes soft, sometimes loud,
I would mimic the gentle-voiced bird.
The boundless sky, the affectionate breeze,
A heart carefree, joyful and free,
Those golden days of childhood
Shall never return in this lifetime.
— Vidya
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