Paper Boats

(Dedicated to one of my childhood friends)

You were one of those charming lilies
that bloomed, so fresh, in my springtime pond;
when my homesick wings of longings flutter and soar, 
and my mind alights 
on the periphery of the playparks of the past,
I reminisce all the little fun we had 
along with our other friends -
as we strolled through the narrow trails 
in the verdant flowery meadow
that sprawled near our school
during the tender years of our lives.
The giggles and the laughter 
the chuckles and the chatter -
those shrieks and the squeals
that baffled even the needles of time 
to forget their own pace 
and hop and waltz along with us.

Then roads diverged, new air we breathed
as we took new paths to pursue our purposes in life.
Years later, you arrived once very near my place
yet we could not connect and get ourselves to meet.

That day when we talked on the phone 
and I heard your voice after a very long time,
my mind leapt for joy and soaked for some time 
in a summer drizzle of rainbow memories -
of those I had long forgotten
as you reminded them to me in our chat -
they linger on like pleasant petrichor. 
Later, I tried to recollect and sing our childhood songs
rhyming it perfect with the 
unrhyming clamor of our choruses.

When commitments in work and family responsibilities 
seem to have rusted the gate to my nostalgic dam -
your call was the key to open it - and when creaking opened
wistful emotions gushed forth
to form an ocean of yearnings
to be a child once more.

You revived the puddles of my mind with paper boats 
that carry leaves, stems, and flowers of fond memories.
I felt like a gleeful kite in the vast blue, 
fleeing for a moment from the humdrum day.

You will forever be the same charming lily
adorning my little lake of most treasured blossoms.
My bestie, my soul-sis.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023


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Date: 10/7/2023 10:02:00 PM
Awwn, this is really a very heartwarming tribute to your best friend.. True friendships and bonds are not slaves to the hardships of time.. They keep blossoming even when communication is hindered bcz of responsibilities or situations. Although, since childhood, I never had anyone whom I could call as a friend, but the connection that you've described here feels like more of soul sisters as mentioned in the end.. A very gorgeous piece dear poetess, always a pleasure to read your poems truly :)
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Date: 10/6/2023 5:28:00 PM
Makes a grown man want to cry for the joy the two of you have shared. This is a soulful and loving poem about the joys of childhood and the memories they have created to comfort us as we age and look back on them. A FAV for my list, Ani. Thanks for sharing such beautiful memories with us. God bless you and your loving friend. Bill
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Anitha Jayasankar
Date: 10/7/2023 3:00:00 AM
Bill, thank you so very much for the visit, inspiring words of appreciation of my poem, and the fav. God bless... ~ Ani
Date: 10/3/2023 8:17:00 AM
Dearest Ani, I am swept up and away on the potent heartfelt beauty of your poem. I feel your words deeply. I adore your expressive verse filled with evocative imagery and emotive metaphors that just delights my heart's imagination with wistful exhilaration and appreciation for your golden pen and for the soulful and enduring power of life-long friendships. The way an old friend can bring you back in time is endearing and enchanting, though, for me, it's also bittersweet for the quick passage of such precious childhood time. Your poetic heart and talent shines in this breathtaking piece. Warmest wishes my sweet friend.. ~Susan
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Anitha Jayasankar
Date: 10/7/2023 2:58:00 AM
Aw dear sweet Susan, thank you so much for the visit and your lovely comment on my simple scribble. As I always say, from beautiful words of your comments itself, one could make a great poetic verse. Yes, you are right dear friend. Those precious childhood moments pass so quickly. Hugs... ~ Ani
Date: 10/2/2023 9:09:00 PM
Oh Ani, this is one of the most beautiful poem I’ve read. Beautifully heart touching. Your friend is lucky to have you as a friend :)
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Anitha Jayasankar
Date: 10/7/2023 2:54:00 AM
Thank you so much dear sweet Kina for the visit and lovely comment. We are lucky to have you here in Soup, my friend... Hugs... ~ Ani
Date: 10/1/2023 7:48:00 AM
Dear poetess, i just cant even… this poem touched my soul so deeply, and what a coincidence i am listening to a song that me and my late bestfriend sang together when she was alive. And then when i read the line “ i a summer drizzle of rainbow memories” i just felt that so much! “ you will forever be the same charming lilly” sigh! Yes some relationships, time cant even destroy. This poem , sweet soul, is a top fave: ill read it again. Just love this! Soul warming and touching
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Anitha Jayasankar
Date: 10/1/2023 11:56:00 PM
Dear Ink, am glad at the same time so sad my scribble reminded you of your late best friend... I can understand the pain of losing a loved one.. Yes nobody can replace the loss of a bestie with whom we can share anything that we cannot even share with our family members...Thank you so much dear beautiful soul for the lovely comment and the fav. Hugs.. ~ Ani
Date: 10/1/2023 6:06:00 AM
So many breathtaking lines, Anitha, "my mind leapt for joy and soaked for some time in a summer drizzle of rainbow memories" - awesome:) I can totally relate, goes into my faves:)
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Anitha Jayasankar
Date: 10/1/2023 10:54:00 PM
Thank you so much dear Jo for the visit, lovely comment and the fav... Am so glad you can relate to it... yes only friends, specially childhood friends can remind us all those fond memories of the past...~ Ani
Date: 10/1/2023 4:09:00 AM
This is immeasurably beautiful! Many beautiful lines and thoughts. a new poem from you! Welcome back!!
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Anitha Jayasankar
Date: 10/1/2023 10:50:00 PM
Welcome back to Soup, Krishji...Glad to hear from you after a long time...Thank you for the visit and comment.. God bless... ~ Ani
Date: 9/30/2023 12:56:00 PM
A lovely tribute poem for your childhood friend Anitha, I hope she got to read it… Belle
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Anitha Jayasankar
Date: 10/1/2023 10:48:00 PM
Thank you so much dear Belle, for the visit and comment...she is not interested in reading poems.. ~ Ani
Date: 9/30/2023 7:41:00 AM
This is a beautiful dedication to your friend.. so many lovely touching lines you have shared showing your relationship with her.. we all need friends like this in our lives.. So nice to see you posting..
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Anitha Jayasankar
Date: 9/30/2023 9:40:00 AM
Thank you so much S1 for the visit and comment. Yes, childhood friends are most treasured. Am glad to post poems whenever I get time, and also to read so many wonderful poems here in Soup... ~ Ani
Date: 9/30/2023 4:57:00 AM
Wow, that line...that baffled in the needles of time! This poem is excellent! An absolute Fave for me :)
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Anitha Jayasankar
Date: 9/30/2023 9:33:00 AM
Thank you so much dear Heidi for the visit and lovely comment and the fav. Hugs... ~ Ani
Date: 9/29/2023 1:13:00 PM
Hi Anitha, it has been a long time and i read your awesome poem and felt nostalgic as i remember our friendship. I think our friendship is beyond a lapse in communication as I feel as I did, a great respect and admiration for you dear friend. I sincerely hope you feel the same. Your poem of your youth and growing up and your tribute to your bestie, your soul-sis is so moving, I have to fave it as it is so sincere, so touching. Hugs and blessings, Jennifer.
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Anitha Jayasankar
Date: 9/29/2023 11:59:00 PM
Dear Jenni, I too feel so glad to hear from you after a long time. sometimes life keeps us busy. Thank you so much dear friend for dropping by and for your lovely words of appreciation of my poem and the Fav. No doubt our friendship is beyond all that lapse in communication..I too have missed you and reading your inspiring verses Shall be coming to read your poems soon..Hugs ~ Ani
Date: 9/29/2023 9:42:00 AM
Wow. This is so wonderful. Love all the metaphors and images. A fave!
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Anitha Jayasankar
Date: 9/29/2023 11:43:00 PM
Dear Ria, thank you so much for the visit and the comment. Just a simple scribble...As always, your fav gave me a smile.. Hugs... ~ Ani
Date: 9/29/2023 5:46:00 AM
Wonderfully reminiscing in treasured friendship, Ani. You will forever be the same charming lily adorning my little lake of most treasured blossoms--how splendidly heartfelt!
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Anitha Jayasankar
Date: 9/29/2023 6:16:00 AM
Thank you so very much Vijayji, for the visit and wonderful comment. Yes, childhood friends are so special, most treasured.
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