I Was Glad

Glad I was in the rain, Making paper-sails, wasting my papa's diary pages -- Written and unwritten, scribbled and virgin -- Dancing in the ripples of flood. Glad I was in causing petty fuss -- Stealing sugar-quoted ovaltine from the meat-safe , Licking with the tongue, Sneaking through the back-door as my mom slept. Glad I was in odd-bits of mischief -- Taking cover and crying out in shrill voice Like a siren, signalling the end of fasting time, When the elders ate up and got transfixed In the nasty blow of surprise. I was naughty -- people would say And I felt no insult. Now, I am more civil, Aging and sad