growing up

GROWING UP 

As a child I wouldn’t bother 

I would run to those urchins. 

I’d not know their names or families they come from 

Only smiles on their faces I would recognise 

And water dripping from hair 

flowing from forehead to the cheeks, 

Forming little droplets under the chin 

Lingering for a second and then falling, 

Their laughter was all I’d hear 

And know their eyes are calling. 

Calling to make splashes in the pot-holes and see 

little paper bits melt away 

To watch our faces dissolve in ripples 

and form again with settling waves 

To be drenched in the pools collected below 

And the rain falling from clouds hanging low 

To be drenched with water - 

Be wet and cold, 

And have my heart drenched with and behold - 

Happiness. 

Not denied but only by me who put too much faith 

in propriety that comes with age. 

The walls I made all around 

To keep away the storm and thunder 

What a pity, I let it succeed 

In taking away the rain from me 

the splashes, the ripples, the laughter, the wonder. 

One rainy evening when I was doing this experimental shoot 

by the window of my room, I saw some kids playing outside 

in the rain. Although I don't mind getting wet in the rains 

sometimes, the unihibited and free frolic of those kids made 

me think.