Strangers With Memories Poem by Sakshi Walia

Flipping through the pages of an old dairy
fell out a glossy sheet of paper
rectangular cut, scantly faded
buried under those fine earthy particles of dust.
It was the snap shot a long ago
that reminded me a million memories
of those three posing in the picture.
They called themselves as 'Best Friends'
the trio, the famous three.
One in the left was Shiri - the diva of the college
the model, the dancer
every guy's heartthrob.
petite figure, long curly hair
and big beautiful hazel eyes
described her perfectly.
The other in the right was Alisha - the generous of all
perfection in her blood, beauty with brains
tall and rosy fair
golden hairs with round brown eyes
everyone wanted to be like her.
And then me, the middle one,
sun kissed skin, tangled hair, football player
the wittiest of all -Sarah
Gone were the old golden days of our friendship
left behind was only a bitter sweet nostalgia.
Recollecting fond memories,
I shed tears in clatter
that swabbed the dirt from the photograph.
Once was a time
when love blossomed in hearts
bunking classes together
strolling into the canteen with a look of 'Don't mess with three'
attitude queens for people
but could die for one another.
Times brought ups and lows
incidents tore us
made us cry
vanquished our friendship
but couldn't keep us apart.
Such was the power of 'te' bond
giving ' one ' reasons to live
when it was still dawn.
Stood by each other
while in a fight
shared huddles and muddles
made everything seem right
Soon the college became a thing in past
ambitions took over the promise of love
we parted our ways
to explore the world, to fly
and had to bid a fervent goodbye.
The last day standing alone at the college gate
hollow rustling of winds,
recalling the time gone by
I reified,
I was all alone
with no one by thy side,
a part of me had died.
Yet now it all flee away like sand
bygones are lone left in reminiscence.
The photograph showed how it was
resuscitating me with sour truth of life
consumed with grief
with no words to express the loss
sighing in pain I realized
none can win over the fate we had
who were best friends once
were now strangers,
strangers with memories.