My City Poem by Malabika Ray Choudhury

My City is sleeping!
I get up at the break of dawn when even the birds are still slumbering in their warm nests,
can't sleep.
It's hushed  tranquility all around!
gaze from the balcony of my third-floor room,  
see the tall white building across. 

That's the building,  
where I used to visit, when I was eighteen. 
usually in a white saree, with an embroidered border,  
my hair in two braids,  
did not wear any make-up, except I wore the glasses which I considered as my added charm,
only dreams in my eyes,  
I was pure serenity!  

the building is the same - majestic learning centre,
unbelievable there could be such a peaceful place in the hub of the noisiest city. 
I am back, Kolkata, after forty years,  
I am not the same, you are not the same. 
my braids are gone, I need make-up now,  
to cover the wrinkled skin. 

you had a facelift too - Gap Mall shining and dazzling,
South City Mall, brand-name stores, are those your pride?
life is like a meandering stream,
the dreams have faded, but not completely gone from my eyes,

this is where I ran away from,
this is where I came back for peace!