Another Chance Poem by Malabika Ray Choudhury

if all of a sudden I come across you in the street of gariahat,
crossing the road to the other side,
where I was waiting! after twenty-five years!
I would probably gaze and gaze,
finding it hard to believe - until I walk a few steps,
move my hand in an effort to call you,
my lips open, in an effort to utter a word, a familiar name from my long-lost past,
probably by then you would cross the road, and not look back.
 
this is not the pristine haven where we frolicked together,
this is not the same village-street where we could run without any boundaries,
only rickshaws were the vehicles,
trees tall and lush green, full of large, tender leaves,
that we felt so calm, and peaceful, in the unspoilt lap of bountiful nature,
to sit cozily under and get gently caressed by the swaying branches.
 
one enthralling siuli tree, in our little garden,
magnanimous with her dainty flowers on the ground at ruby-red dawn,
gorgeous dahlias in the earthen pots, proud
of their splendour of ravishing colours,
gleaming vermilion roses, dazzling like princesses, at the centre,
did they accept a defeat ever? !
 
I would not stop you, although I saw you after twenty-five years,
I would not stop you because I wouldn't want to meet you at this cemented crosswalk,
with people crossing like they were racing,
they looked ahead, not around,
cars honking, buses wheezing by,
I wouldn't want to meet you here,
although I might never have another chance,
I might never have another chance
to find my tree of the charming hamlet, embrace the entrancing scent of the petite white flowers in the ruby-red dawn,
and stop you
and say 'here we are again'!