Image Courtesy: The Sentinel Assam
At the bus stop, I wait patiently
I unfurl my neck for the glimpse of that bus
Which when moves make hassle
I am excited by the noise of the rattling of the wheels
Alas! It turns out to be a school bus
I am tired of this mundane routine
Yet compelled to wait for the bus in green
If only I could ask Dad for a two-wheeler
But, I can’t put pressure on him with income so meager
As I stoically wait for the bus
The hunger games began to agitate
A serpentine queue has now formed
But when the bus arrives, its door will be stormed
The hunger now has arrived from stomach to mind
Oh! Finally, the bus arrives
Some vigorous pushing, a quick look around, and I grabbed the seat
A journey of half an hour makes me wonder and ponder:
Life is nothing but a roller-coaster ride
The grabbling, holdings, tripping, and sweating
Wails of babies laugh of beautiful ladies
Smells of cigarettes, perfumes, and washing powders
Each and everyone has a story of their own
A lifetime of hurt or joy
All at once, the crowd screams their emotions
Neglect. Abuse. Bully. Failure. Love. Empty homes. Shattered dreams
They scream so beautifully in utter silence
Their eyes whisper to me: “ Girl, you are not alone”
Their quiet reassurance gives me a sense of solace
For everybody here is fighting for existence
Slowing to a stop, we each grab our bags
Everybody is in a hurry, nobody cares for anyone’s story
We exit without a word
And scatter to follow each of our paths
From Kachari to Chandmari; from Jalukbari to Panbazar
A multitude of routes, millions of hopes
Torn between the urge to conquer the world or run back to our mother’s lap
Beautiful. Love it. 💙