Sublime Story

Ever since I was a kid,

Each year this girl came

To the temple outside

The village for special Pooja.

We too went as a family,

On to seek Hanuman.

After many encounters,

A precedent was set.

I looked at her, she at me.

Our eyes met.

The permanence of this

Connection was limited

To recognizing each

Others' existence.

Only in fleeting glances,

We existed.

Then one year, she

Didn't come.

Then the following year

And a couple more.

Must have been married off.

To think about the worst,

The concern was not 

Beyond usual curiosity.

This year when I sensed 

A couple of eyes upon me.

With no usual ponies, 

Skirt or chudi..with a kid 

In hand, she stood there, 

Wearing a beautiful saree.

When I caught her eyes,

She smiled before looking 

Away. Then she went on

Her way and I, on mine.

So almost every year,

I met this girl.

In fleeting glances we

Recognised our existence.

Then she was on her way

And I returned to mine.

Some stories are feeble enough 

To be simple and sublime.