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An Ode To Those Cities

A dear friend asked me the other day "Which is the city you call your own?" I wanted to give a precise answer But couldn't find out which one Is it the city where I was born That still echoes my murmurs In the whispers of rosy mornings And spreads my fragrance with the wind Or is it the city where I went to school That still preserves my frayed memories Of broken pencils and faded pages And the benches where I played along Is it the city where I had lost myself That still glorifies my mistakes explored In all those struggles that it has kept Hidden between dried petals of my diaries Or is it the city where I found glory That still reminds me of beautiful days Shared smiles with my parents And moved forward to find my road Perhaps it is the city where I hadn't lived It still carries my experiences with strangers Of a weekend spent to find myself In the history of a city that wasn't mine I don't know which one it is For I belong to every city I have visited Left a part of me there to blend in the air Picked another part and dissolved it in me With the molecules and moments That create themselves for me I look back to every frame that was me And let it unfurl a history of mine I am not sure if there exists a city That we humans can call our own Or why else would we feel we belong there When we procreate our lives in those cities May 17, 2020 BRIAN'S CHOICE H,any form,any theme Winner: Honorable Mention

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James Inman

Date: 6/19/2020 9:09:00 AM

I have always encouraged my daughters to open themselves to new places and experiences. I hope they will pursue their dreams where ever they may take them. As for me, I live between two mid size cities but I'm more of a small town kind of a guy. A beautiful write.

Aditi Mishra
Date: 6/20/2020 12:01:00 PM

This is really encouraging on your part that your daughters will remember to explore places and learn a lot. I am sure they will experience memories etched on their minds forever. Thank you for your kind words James :)

Line Gauthier

Date: 5/21/2020 12:32:00 AM

Lovely poem. You are truly a woman of the world. Beautiful imagery.

Aditi Mishra
Date: 5/21/2020 1:36:00 AM

Glad you loved it Line. Thank you for appreciating :)

John Watt

Date: 5/18/2020 11:27:00 PM

In America, there is a saying in our national parks - "Take only photographs, leave only footprints". Each city you have graced is a better place for the footprints and fingerprints you have left behind, and you are a better person for each city's mental photographs that contribute to your scrapbook of identity. I enjoyed reading this very much, Aditi, and it is very special to me, as are you. Keep writing, inspiring, sharing, and encouraging, my dear friend. God bless you always ~ John

Aditi Mishra
Date: 5/19/2020 3:11:00 AM

I am really thankful for the beautiful message you have interpreted from my words and that it means so much to you. Always a blessing to hear words of wisdom and appreciation from you dear friend. God bless you :)

Mohan Chutani

Date: 5/18/2020 4:21:00 AM

It is always a give and take in places you live. Nicely done Aditi. Congrats.

Aditi Mishra
Date: 5/18/2020 4:50:00 AM

Yes perhaps we learn something from those places and give others something to learn as well. Thank you Mohan :)

Kai Michael Neumann

Date: 5/17/2020 12:23:00 PM

A true cosmopolitan I suppose. I will have to ask myself that question. I guess for me my City is and will always be Hamburg, where I was raised and studied. And the most wonderful City I visited on my travels is Istanbul...Kind wishes, Kai

Aditi Mishra
Date: 5/17/2020 2:29:00 PM

For the sake of feeling belonged to one city, I take it to be the city where I have spent my years with my family, studying and being raised up before I moved out for my work. I've never been to Hamburg or Istanbul. You seem to have great experiences. Hope to gain some wisdom from them. :)

Vijay Pandit

Date: 5/17/2020 9:44:00 AM

My wife is the explorer in our family--so we have been to most major cities allover. Each has its beauty, history, culture that feels unique. And the most enjoyable part is how people are so nice everywhere. Yet, we feel relief when we come home where our family is. Keep exploring, Aditi.

Kai Michael Neumann
Date: 5/17/2020 12:25:00 PM

That is so true. Most people in most places are kind and hospitable. Some bear the sadness of history, but they all have their story to tell. Kind wishes, Kai

Aditi Mishra
Date: 5/17/2020 11:39:00 AM

That's true. At the end of a journey we feel at ease when we come back home after gathering experiences. And the history and people every where enrich our hearts if we let them. Each city adds to our being as a whole. Hope you explore more too.