That Cold January Day Poem by Santosh Bakaya

Dear Diary,
Today I again remembered that cold January day
When we stood shivering, long, long years ago.
His compliments mute, no longer flattering
Our teeth chattered, you know,
But we did not.
Yes we did not chat of things that mattered.
His cold hand in the pocket of my coat, mine in his
As the tiny boat rowed along
In sync with the boatman's song.

In the distant houseboat, glasses clinked
Heralding the New Year
And I blinked away those tears
As we said our goodbyes
Throttled those sighs.
Our faces shone with an ember glow.
Ah, it was the glow of the fire
From the bridges that we had just burnt.

Dear diary, today I again shed tears
My heart pierced with an anguish fierce
You know, diary, an ember from that raging fire
Still burns at times
And mimes those lovely times.
Anguish moves on tiptoe
Needle sharp feet tread across my heart
And, I once again get a start
Remembering that cold day in January
When our hearts beat in sync with the boatman's song
As the boat moved along.