# A Love Affair That Began In Childhood Poem by Mamta Agarwal

# A Love Affair That Began In Childhood

Rating: 2.9


On that November noon, as we drove in
To my home town, at the foot of Shivalik hills.
I realised, why it is so close to my heart,
This is where my parents gave me a start.

So many fond memories come rushing in.
It seems yesterday I was a kid creating din.
My nephew who had got posted to my town,
Urged me, Aunt why don’t you come down.

Saying, he had waited to see the city,
And through my eyes, built memories
I recall he was tall, lanky and all of ten,
When he came for my wedding celebrations.

Now he is a renowned heart surgeon,
Kind, compassionate and a genial person.
I rang him when a family wedding took me there,
Well son, let me show you around now that I am here.

So we drove into the city beautiful.
For mid November it was pretty cool.
My heart was swelling with pride,
As I pointed to him different sights.

Rose garden here is best you will find
In entire Asia, don’t look surprised.
Big, small, frail, exotic, pale multi hued,
Flowers were covered with droplets of dew.

Later we drove to my sprawling alma mater
And showed him where I got my love for literature
Recounting tales of our famous escapades
How my bespectacled professor regaled

Us while teaching us in his inimitable style Yeats.
Oh, how overwhelmed I felt once inside the gates.
Later I told him lets just park the Chevrolet,
And pay some money to the attendant.

We walked at a leisurely pace, and I pointed out,
Library, auditorium and canteen- our favourite haunt
Steaming hot cups of tea and samosas
Can you believe all for just thirty paise?

The avenue was lined with eucalyptus trees,
Birds were chirping flitting about free.
As we caught with each others lives,
We realised we had come far and walked miles.

We had reached a village with dense mango groves
We lingered and amused watched cocks and crows
As we drove back home, I said much hasn’t changed,
Although I have been away from here for decades…

This is an affair that began in childhood
i would like to settle here if i could...

City Beautiful- Chandigarh

Mamta
26.11.08

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Kesav Easwaran 26 November 2008

a write good and pleasing to read on your city of love, Mamta...the context you bring in and your invitation to the poem are really impressive...10

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Frank James Ryan Jr...fjr 26 November 2008

I have never been to your side of the world...have never been to India...tho' i have many, many Indian friends...But after reading this fine piece of literature...if i am fortunate enough to be able to visit your most intruiging country....my first stop will surely be Chandighar...Excellent Penning, Ms. Author! FjR

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Marilyn Lott 01 December 2008

Such a delicious relaxing poem, Mamta, of revisiting the past. I loved it! '10! ' Warm Wishes, Marilyn

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Aijaz Asif 10 December 2008

an excellent write ma'am with a very strong and unique metaphor style indeed and you have written the poem so beautifully that readers can see and feel the sights and sound of your memories through your wonderful words, bravo bravo....thanks 10++++ rgds asif

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Dr.subhendu Kar 07 December 2008

wondeful poem, nicely curved by remniscence with amazing imagery and metaphor.style of write is of unique genre, but i am speech less by the beauty of theme,10+++++,5hanks for sharing

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Sadiqullah Khan 07 December 2008

The beauty of this poem is that there is a calm satisfaction in the life spent in that lovely town, , , , that is your gain i think, , , well spoken and composed, ,10

0 1 Reply
Chitra - 05 December 2008

nostalgia personified...mounted on memories of the city and its charms very vividly expressed!

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Dr Rajesh Kumar Vaid 03 December 2008

Wow, what a refreshing poem, an Ode to a city. As I am in Hisar and visited Chandigarh many times, I can feel it through the poem. And especially 'would like to settle here if i could...' is a true feeling which comes to everyones heart and mind when they visit the city of Goddess Chandi.

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