The Land Only I Know

23.12.2019

When left alone, I’m not, really  

Because I go to a land known only to me.

Where neem trees become thrones of gold

And from their leaves, stories unfold.

Sandpits become witches’ wells,

And I? Well, I’m somebody else.

Invisible people walk up and down

Narrow stairs that go round and round

A tall tower made of a thousand books

And inside I can see a band of crooks!

A blade of grass serves as my sword of light,

A stone as my shield, and I’m ready to fight.

I climb stealthily up the tower tall,

Not even scared that I might fall.

When they see me, they start to flee!

I scream, dance and sing in victory.

And then from my vantage point, I see

A whole universe waving to me.

Soon you return to take me away,

And all I want, is to stay,

But then you ask me, “Shall we go?”

To my own surprise, I don’t say no.

Instead I nod and come with you,

Because I know that in a day or two,

When next alone, I shall go

Back to the land that only I know.

.        .        .

As a child whenever I was left alone, even if it was for five minutes, I was never lonely or bored. There was so much to do, see, and experience; even if I was in an empty room. There was always scope for imagination everywhere; and as children, I think, we realised that immediately. This poem is a tribute to those carefree years.