Down Memory Lane Poem by Kishore Kumar Das

The river Baitarani
full to the brim
in the midst of rainy season
ferry-crossing takes me to school
myself, a 10th class student
forty-four years ago
class monitor, duty bound to attend
ignoring the flood warning
downpour started in the afternoon
as the school bell rang at the close of day
we rushed to ferry-ghat
only to find that ferry-services stopped
as the river is in spate
turbulent water flowing with roar
we returned back to school
no power, darkness everywhere
dinner served at midnight with lantern light
night passed with thinking of parents
when shall I be back to home?
Next day morning
river visible from the top of school
flood recedes: we all rush to ferry-ghat
squatting inside the boat with heads down
as per the boatman's instruction
what a risky journey to cross the river!
in the midst of river
boat swept far away the ferry-ghat
but for the divine skill of boatman
we reached the other side
safe and sound
as I was walking half a mile
found my father cycling towards me
overjoyed with my arrival
he took me in his cycle
my mother was crying last night
love of parents is unimaginable...
I was so happy to see my parents
today, my parents no more
but their fathomless love
till now sparkles in my mind.