Sambalpur of the 90's (1)

 

The place had its own sleepy charm

With lungi clad men engrossed in card games

 

At times they break into fights that’s so puerile           

It would put all naughty kids to shame

 

The wafts of aroma from Sarsatia shop is so inviting

The breeze of Mahanadi spreads it

 

The feel of crunchy bite is heavenly

Everything conspired making  it hard to resist

 

I save few coins for savouring Aamkut and Borkut

And for luxury of Poppins, Melody and Guruchela

 

For the idea of sipping green Frooti that tasted real

While licking melting Kulfis from thelas

 

While I strolled back to home after hearty bites

I stopped for sight of the Sun getting dissolved into the Mahanadi

 

The sky turned black and twinkling diamonds showed up

Like scattered fireflies that gathered around trees

 

I lit up the lantern and got engrossed in “The Little Prince”

Sighed at starry night that resembled gateway to heaven

 

 

I kept reading till my eyelids turned heavy and

fan lulled me for a sleep after power restored at Seven

 

I woke up to roaring Rajdoots and Chetaks

Sound of Clanging hammers from gold smith shop

 

I gobbled bowlful of stale roti soaked in milk

and hustled with quick steps to rooftop

 

The breezy summer morning was so colorful

The sky was filled with tossed up kites

 

Mine one swayed like a lost drunkard

As a bully kite cut it from insane height

 

a kid chased it down the mazy lanes

and nearly sprinted till half a mile

 

and the kite now found the new owner

he flaunted his possession with arc of smile