Memories of Summers Past

Flashes of light flow through my heart, flickering memories of summers past,

From Army Station to Granny’s house visit temptations,

Of happy times and playful vacations

The wanderer in me had so much fun

Ah, what silvery resplendent days were those then!

Three days train journey from Assam to Punjab,

The magical music of  nature and the symphony of splendid delights,

The skies looked like blue oceans in the paradise and birds soared to grasp  full flights.

Everything used to look magical while sitting inside the train.

Ah, what notorious journeys were those when sometimes pulling the train chains!

Welcomed by grandparents with open arms and so much warmth,

I could hear our happiness bubbling and screaming with each of our laugh forms.

Heavenly it was to eat my grandma’s scrumptious meals and mortar pestle’s mango chutney,

That had served with her contagious smile of honey.

Boiling noons were serenaded by funny granny’s stories yet mighty,

That echoed the splashes of joy and ecstasy

Ah! The air was so cool and unadulterated without the artificial air coolers, especially.

Undulating summer meadows glittered, like ornaments in Mother Nature’s crown,

Adorning fields of emerald green draped in its golden gown

Water cascaded down the irrigation pumps,

Giggling and gushing, I loosened myself under majestic water when jumps

Oh, what innocent, magical, fascinating, unparalleled summer vacations were those!

Life was then exciting and alluring!

I can’t forget those days of mine, reviving those memories, my heart keeps soaring.

Pooja Mandla

Glossary: ‘chutney’- a spicy condiment of Indian origin, made of fruits or vegetables with vinegar, spices, and sugar.