Moving Out

That day was forever. It was finally time, For us to move out. We found old card-boards From our neighborhood Chose the best , Carefully laid our stuff . Our old home stood , At the center of the town, Where we grew up; With chaos all around. The terrace gave me company, Keeping my little secrets and carved names on the mosses. The rock bottom of the deep well Found me screaming out, The voices inside and listen. The walls held empty pots, Once chrysanthemum grew. The cherry tree stood nearby , Which never bloomed, though Caterpillars found home. The mango tree in the backyard, Dwarf enough for one to climb, Gifted its shade and not a mango . Guavas, we did grab, From the terrace, ripe and raw. Star fruits hugged the soil now, For we ignored them fall. Hibiscus leaves soothed my hair And henna leaves, my hands. And the verandah, void With its circular chair, Wrapped green. Grandma used to sit there, Observing her town with pride. I taped the card-boards, Wrote my name and date, Sighed for the days of Hard work and choosing. And waited to move out. The place was a mess, So were we, though We deserved better. Looking back, I will regret Packing my childhood apart . Card-boards resembled Tombstones with my name. Never did my dreams fail To lead me back home. And the pain of watching As a stranger passing by, Never faded away. A haunted house, it remained. Yes, moving out was hell. Life was never the same again.