Magic Carpet Poem by Shankaran Kutty

On a winter morn, so cold indeed
For my morning walk I went
When all at once by roadside spied
A body, where the road bent

Walked past did I, why do I care
Whoever it maybe
Why waste my time on someone who
Was dead, as I could see

And then in the silence of the dawn
I clearly heard a groan
I could take a step ahead no more
What if he were my own

And so I went and lifted him
A very old man was he
“Son, you are so kind and loving
But its too late to save me

I come from the Sahya hills to the east
A yogi last 100 years “
On hearing this, my mind perked up
And for the story I was all ears.

“I don’t have a lot of life in me
But since you are a kind little boy
I will give you something as a gift
A strange, yet precious toy.”

So saying, on my hands he gave
A crumbled sheet to look
And he told in my ears the magic words
And in my hands, a magic book

“This is a flying carpet my son
It’s for you to keep
Hope you lead a righteous life
Time for me to sleep”

So saying the yogi died in my hands
And in my eyes came a lonely tear
The earth split up and took him away
As in my mind sprouted a fear

It wasn’t that I was a spring chicken
A month short of forty four
Suppressed my desire to try it out
Till I could hold no more.

I laid out the sheet on the roadside straight
And sat on it upright
The magic words I then said in order
And held on to the carpet tight

Then I heard a sweet voice ask
“Master, where shall I take thee? ”
“Take me home, to my 8th floor room”
I started sweating poor me

It rose so fast and over the trees
My building I could spy
And saw people on the streets look up
To see a big man fly

The carpet swayed and danced in the wind
As soft melodies I could hear
I held so tight to two handles soft
As wind whistled in my ear

In a trice I was near my house
And went through the balcony door
I caught my breath, and heaved a sigh
As I settled on the bedroom floor.

This was cool and I settled down
When I heard my mobile ring
It was my mom ”when you come from walk
Some onions can you bring “

“I am home mom” I cut the phone
As I opened the bedroom door
“Why can’t you folks declare when you come in”,
Through clenched teeth, she swore

I read through the book and I did find
That invisible I could fly
They won’t know I am watching them
When towns and villages go by

“Acha, I really wanted you
Wish you were here so near
These Ratios I do not comprehend
As Math, I begin to fear”

It pained me to hear this from Meenu dear
But then it struck me plain.
What if there are no bus tickets to go
Or Tatkal bookings by train

I told home I got my tickets then
I am leaving to Chennai tonight
And on my carpet I took my journey
And gave the kids a fright

“Hey how did you come”, Priya asked
“By auto from airport is it? ”
How can I tell them how I came
For believe they won’t one bit.

“When my molu needs help with Ratio
What else do you expect me to do “
Saw Maanu frown, “Don’t worry dear
I will come when you need me too”

I called up Krits and told her then
Hey in the afternoon I couldn’t talk
I am in Chennai now, so tomorrow
Can you join for morning walk

And so early morning I met her then
For a walk at Elliots beach
“How did you come”, she asked me when
We were having a hot coffee each

I tell you now but don’t spill your coffee
For it is too hard to believe
In a magic carpet I came all the way”
She thought I was out to deceive

And thus I gave her the privilege
Of a ride in my magic carpet
And I could see the fear in her eyes
As with tension she began to fret

And so it was I reached home then
And held my darlings near
Told them there is some super news
And asked if they wanted to hear

“we do”, they shouted in unison then as
They gathered all around me
Then I told them the story then
The disbelief, in their eyes I could see

And so I decided I will give them a ride
To rid them of their doubt
We crowded all on the carpet as we
Were jostling and pushing about

And then we flew up so high
High over the roads we flew
Over traffic jams and Marina beach
And the metro train lines too

We went up and we went down
Below the trees and over the glimmering sea
And every one both young and old
Were laughing in uncontrolled glee

And so the weekend was special then
One where we had tons of fun
And as Sunday came to close, sadness
Was on the face of everyone.

I told them then, weep not all
I can come whenever you call
Nothing can stop my trip anytime
Deep sea or mountains tall.

So saying I climbed my magic carpet
Had to be back in Trivandrum tonight
For had told my mom I was taking
A Sunday evening flight

I landed then outside my home
And I pressed the calling bell
You look so fresh”, my mother said
Looks like you enjoyed real swell

I crashed to sleep as next day it was
Scheduled to be long and tiring
But now I knew that any day could well
A pleasant surprise, bring

Pitter Patter the sounds were loud
I couldn’t sleep no more
I opened my eyes to see the raindrops
Pelting on the balcony door.

I am late I screamed as I did
Jump out of my cushioned bed
'You are still so tired, don’t drive today”
At the breakfast table, my mom said.

“It is the trip to Chennai”, I lazily said
As my mom looked with a frown
“That is fine, but why are you tired
Driving around this small town”

It didn’t help matters one bit
And I only looked more dazed
But my mom was clear so she spoke on
And she looked quite unfazed

“Yesterday when you picked from the loft
That old carpet to wash and steam
And you lifted your head and hit your head
Against the wooden beam

I pleaded then but you didn’t listen
For a check-up you should go.
And seeing you so tired now
I am more worried you know “

I ran back into the bedroom then
To see my carpet on the floor.
Magic words said, I pleaded with it
Just take me out of this door.

But move it didn’t, it stayed so still
I pleaded again, in vain.
Just past this door would suffice, no need
To go out in pouring rain

I searched the place for my Magic Book
But the book I couldn’t find
How can God be so cruel with me
When yesterday he was so kind

And then came the final blow
When my wife gave a call
“Heard you hit your head”, she mocked
“See the problems of being so tall”

So what was it then, was it a dream
I still can’t believe it today
I still feel the wind, hear the music
So dream it can’t be, no way

It has been a fortnight since
But it still fills my mind
And peace in this world, I will never get
Till that Magic Book I find

And then one day I will soar so high
Up in the heavens I will fly
On my Magic Carpet and along with my dreams
I will go and touch the sky.