Lump

I got up as always

The shining Sun and the chirping birds

My mama was busy cooking

My papa was engaged in newspaper

I dressed up in my neatly pressed uniform

Hair was neatly two-plaited

Then, carried my red school bag

I walked along those familiar lanes

So many known faces passed

We exchanged smile

Thus, I reached my second home

I walked towards my place

I felt the warmth of that wooden desk

I sat there and peeked out of the window

The green leaves swayed

As if waving hands to me

“Today no classes”, announced our teacher

But, we were not happy

We were asked to smile for the camera

Eyes didn’t. Only face did

Everything seemed the same

The classroom and the benches

The lawn and those gates

The ringing bells and the array of cycles

We all came from different backgrounds

Yet that day we shared the same feelings

We all felt sad; we didn’t want to move on

We wanted to stay there; why did we grow up

We wanted to answer “Present” for attendance

We wanted to be there; together

Desires and reality

Never complement each other

They are different poles

We were stuck in between them

Sadness was in air

Taste of salty tears lingered

Shake hands exchanged

Slam books filled up

We bid farewell

We walked apart - forever?

I then walked shivering

With tear filled eyes

Shattered from within

My last at school

It was my abode; my identity

Now it is not mine

I have no claim over it

I am just another alumni member

I hope that walls and desks remember me

I will miss them though

I will miss the National anthem sung in chorus

I will miss the luncheons had with friends

I will miss those fishing for free hours

I will surely miss those careless days

Life is going to change

Nothing will be the same

I am unable to control my tears

A lump in the throat 

Due to the lump felt at heart

I will miss my school days…