Return Of The Prodigal Son... Poem by Debdip Maitra

Darkness engulfs me, as I sit alone,

In my empty room, feeling so forlorn.

The darkness transports me, to my days of glory,

The din of silence, makes me realize my folly.

Cavorting with royalty, dining with Nobility,

Had made me forget, my first fealty

That to my mother, who had brought me forth,

And to my father, for me who always fought.

And as I travel back, to childhood’s innocence,

Memories come back, to show me my negligence.

Delirious with fever, as I tossed & turned,

My mother woke the night, bathing me as I burned.

Her sweet smile, used to wake me every morning,

She was there by my side, at each & every turning.

Or my first cycle ride, as I fell & bled,

My father’s strong arms, carrying me to my bed.

All those afternoons, you carried me on your shoulders,

Never let me fall, shielded me from life’s boulders.

Through my endless questions, you never lost patience,

Whenever I fell, taught me perseverence.

Then as I grew older, I drifted apart,

Friends & crushes took the major part.

Time spent decreased, long talks became few,

It was as if boundaries were being forged anew.

But you were always there, standing by my side,

Never did I see, from you had nothing to hide,

Then success came, went straight to my head,

But never a word against me, had you ever said.

Praises galore, and toasts were raised,

Intoxicated, neglected on what it was based.

Now that it’s all gone, I sit in the dark,

Face to face with myself, seeing so stark

The mistakes I had made, on my bloody folly,

How did I forget my parents’ faces so jolly.

Who stood by me at each step along the way,

Never could bear to leave me even for a day.

And so I totter back, please raise me off this muck,

I am still the infant, you had once taught to walk.

My neglect's been huge, and it has cost me dear,

To stay away from you, can no longer bear.

So here I lay prostate, seeking forgiveness,

For all these years, and my foolish mindlessness.

So accept these flowers, my humble offerings,

And hold me tight, shower me with blessings.

Thus the prodigal son returns, yet once again,

For how long can he stay away from his heaven?

And as your warm embrace washes all my pain,

Tears finally flow, as I find peace once again……………..