One day I sought adventure as I could
only imagine from my easy chair
in my vision I had to ride the train
and thrills would come quietly unaware.
I told no one as I went to my work
place with a satchel packed of basic needs
after hours I would call home to say I
am going to have some escapades
Got my ticket boarded the shuttle filled
with many a weary homebound folk
I stretched myself after the crowd waned as
the chugger stopped on a rusty vale fork.
The loud groaning engine woke my snooze as
I shivered in the early evening breeze
at the cusp of urban to rustic scenes
scrunching my nose at the filth strewn at ease.
Outside the railings of the stop of a
sleepy hamlet hung an ad of a troupe
for men to come wind down with a beer some
sides happy hours though not a hula hoop.
The compulsion to rhyme was not there then
as I awaited the big electric
which would further my quest for I was just
four hours into it not yet quite centric.
And the shuttler did make it on time with
folk returning to their localities,
my heart beat a little faster coz I
would be single no familiarities.
Unknown stations startled me sideways
letting me decide how deeply I went,
into novelty afore the dark closed
to put me in a guarded settlement.
Happily, for me, I got a nice stay
and was all curled up drawing the curtain,
passing the nighttime cautiously with no
mishaps shockers of that I was certain
Sleeping all alone on a strange bed far
from the nest was a bit monotonous,
jittering at every little sound I
soon set into slumber voluminous
My getaway had plans to visit a
mountainous spiritual hot spot
for that was known to me second hand in
anecdotes that my friends talked about
The dawn crept in booming toots of
ferrous engines grinding to a halt
as though pushing an inertia so strong
moving their weight on parallel asphalt
Slipping from my warm bed I got ready
to visit the abode in sahayadris
firstly a top breakfast to celebrate
my maiden trip solo no shaking knees
I caught a bus and set off into the
eastern rays to my rendezvous divine
the ride was uneventful dull rocking
alone with foliage and a ravine
The shrine was impressive the lord consort
left very much to their own devices
detached etched in stone as devotees sang
prayers feeling blessed with their premises
I took my boons in the hot afternoon
the sun staring with long reverse shadows
I walked downhill escaping buses plying
to continue being on tapping toes.
Taking many turns I unknowingly
ran into a tribe of Adivasis
with no pucca houses sparse clothing I
gestured for water mildly with unease
After well water to drink smiling strange
I wondered if I had cut their ration,
and then caught a bus back as I was done
with my walkabout in trepidation
A sweet boy chatted me up coz he was
aching for the home which he had long left,
To get educated in the city
that lay at the feet of a rising weft
All along the messages I received
reverberating from mountains to land,
was that ‘we are not all alone out there’
unseen energies give a helping hand
I was late reaching home and had to spend
it outside my door coz pops was displeased,
with my impromptu trip and return at
the graveyard shift when ghosts are released.
So far yet so close from my comfy bed
I slowly reran my trip in my head
as I wanted to go and crash but that
end took a while as I calmly waited
Every part of my journey was mindful
Careful yet free watchful but blissfully
I had taken a trip with I at the helm
as two days went by so meaningfully
What happened the next day beat all my life
lessons changed me overnight gave me wings,
my scholarship came unexpectedly
allowing my life to my own learnings.
~Jyothi NK
Mumbai, India
O Captain, My Captain! Wild adventurer that got awakened in verse and in travels. A plus voyages belles!
Thanks June Dias
Jyoti , like the way you put forwarded..Though pretty lengthy..But thoughts heart touching..
Thanks Udhav Zarekar