Journey To My Hometown Poem by Auro Bhattacharya

Standing on the river bank for the ferry to arrive
Maa Ganga I have been trailing from Himalaya
Here is the life line of our rural Bangla.

I am thrilled & excited today
In my childhood, I had been once here
Holding my father's hand; I was only 6 years old.
He lost his way to this Ghat in that dark evening
In the meadows & dense paddy fields
extremely worried to miss the last ferry.

I see the bluish horizon over trees..
Dark shadow touching the surface of water
Diminishing casually up into the sky..
The river bank is naturally decorated in Palm,
Coconut, Banana & Neem trees..
All grown to their full blossom in this season.
I see the same ancient dilapidated Shiv temple
Beside an old Jatadhari Banyan tree.

Now the boat has arrived Rampara Ghat;
The ferrymen anchored the big motorised boat
Getting emptied whatever it brought over it.
Villagers are offering fruits & vegetables
in Maa Ganga & sprinkling water over heads;
for her immense continued blessings on mankind.

Pool of men, women and cattle wait for their turn
with me to ride on this huge boat.
All stares at me if i am an intruder into their land;
“No dear friends” my root is here only..
living miles away due to many compulsions
of livelihood;
this piercing pain in my heart, you will never feel..
I am one amongst you, I am a Saktipur- Bashi.

Bright Sun on head but cool breeze drives past over
sailing onto the boat towards Saktipur Ghat.
Nostalgic as usual i am today
mind is revolving around my parents,
they have left years back leaving me an orphan,
their thoughts haunt me deeply every time
while i cry inside, i am crossing the river on ferry..


All are speaking in their high pitch,
partially disturbing my tranquility & thoughts
but i have no complaint today,
the sound of machine & wind made all ears deaf.
I suddenly felt i have reached Saktipur Ghat..
back to my sense.
The ferry men put the rope around a big log
a wooden ramp extended from the boat to the bank.
Touching the land bare footed;
gave me intense feeling, a satisfying heavenly pleasure
the land of many footfalls of our great grandfathers..
Thaka, our parents, cousins & other unknown relatives.
I sense the sacred land, the land of my worship.