the mango and soap nut tree

The mango and soapnut tree; they stood together and very close that you couldnt tell the trunk of one from the other.. they sure have been witness to a lot that happened in that small quiet and close knit colony in Nagpur..

childhood climbing up trees, scratched knees and tangled hair..
frantic collecting the fruits.. mangoes, soapnut and tamarind too..
those holi fires and colours; those diwali crackers and mud forts
those tears of hurt, those cool mornings of learning by rote!


of long cool summer nights of careless slumbers beneath the stars
of those monsoon splashes and newly found secrets in the dark
of those lonely evenings of growing up..those longings to see the world
those first heart flutters and those breakups!

those conversations with friends, of promises of trust and love
those kite fights and moon lit musical nights
that rainfall and thunder and tears and laughter..
those restless days and peaceful nights..

The trees have seen them all and I long to see them tonight
I hope they still stand there in the corner with their branches tight
watching over other kids climbing, playing, laughing
with the same delight!!