Ode To Aligarh - My Almamater Poem by Shahid H Khan

Aligarh
I left You years ago
Years of which I forgot count
Yet I remember You
As if we never parted
As if You're still part of me
Even the tide of Time
Couldn't erase the memories
Of the time we spent together —-
Memories that I cherish,
Memories that I treasure.

I remember
The day I came to You;
A young man
Unsure of myself
Afraid of the future
And of the unknown
Like a bird
In awe of a territory it hasn't flown
But you took me in Your arms
Like a mother takes her new-born
And like a mother
You brought me up
Till I could stand on my own.

I remember
The dread of the night,
I was called for ‘Introduction'
Where I stood
As accused in the court of ‘Seniors'
Who asked me questions,
Ten at a time
The likes of which
I never heard before,
And answers to which
Were beyond me, sure;
I was made to stand up, sit down,
Holding my ears like a clown,
And it was a plight
Repeated, come Saturday night;
I wondered what sin did I commit
To deserve a punishment like it?
It dawned on me later;
It was one of Your traditions
To help me shed my inhibitions.

I remember
The evenings
Spent in Shamshad Market,
Idling in Cafes,
Sipping endless cups of tea
Over plates of Kala Jaam;
Listening old Hindi songs
In the company of friends;
Each of whom
Was a character in his own;
I remember
The political lectures
Of Alam Bhai
The sermons
Of Agha Bhai
Th expletives
Of Fahim Bhai.
The dual meaning poetry
Of Tehrani Bhai.

I remember
Roaming on Marris Road as if on duty,
Hoping to see some unseen beauty,
But disappointment was the usual fate,
Unless, otherwise the luck would dictate.

I remember
The charm of Exhibition,
Doing aimless rounds,
Staying late on grounds,
Playing hide and seek,
If Proctor was around.
O! how I felt like a Nabob,
After a plate of Paratha Kabob.

Aligarh
The small pleasures
That You gave me,
Are the greatest I had;
Whenever I remember You,
The child in me comes alive
And I miss You;
I do not know
How to thank You?
Whatever worth I am today
I dedicate to You.