Treading Dangerously Poem by Seema joglekar

When we embarked on this path together
Skies at sunrise and sunset seemed deeper
While our glowing shadows cowered in their blaze
Wary like the spring that's only heard of the winter
I ask the spring -Does the winter ever creep in?
It answers; - I don't know.

Then I realize a daunting question like a mountain stood
On our path, to surmount it, I tried to bridge things my way
At times even with coldness, but I stood rebuffed
Cause you stood on top of the hill in pride, nonchalant
I ask the mountain -Will you stand in my path again?
It answers: - I don't know.

Then I bowed to your ways and prayed
the mountain would go away; it did
but at the back of my mind it did raise it's head
Always looming in the horizon
I ask the horizon-Is it still there?
It answers; - I don't know

Now I was lost in the song of spring & the mirth of the rains
The mountain had lost its edge, yet afraid it's talons could hurt
I hid my dreams in your palm, afraid of being robbed
This was neither the place nor the time to reveal them
You shut your palms tight and shut out all the light
I groped in the darkness with only the stars that whisper
Clueless in the wind shimmering illusions
I waited for you to come through the dark end
And when I reached out I held no hand
Did I err? - I ask the night
It answers- I don't know.

I wait now for you, to throw crumbs my way
Living no moment, but dragging from one to the next
My trail of crumbs has come to an end
Both lost in the trail we made
I ask the trail -Will we find our way back?
It answers: I don't know.

The night is engulfed in darkness and the wind
Is drunk, losing it's head it threatens for blood
This is not the time to rock the seas or tempt fate
The storm is on us, tread carefully
As we wander, you blinded by pride, I by faith
Show yourself or let the seas engulf us
I ask the seas -Did we have to go through this?
It answers -I don't know.

On the trail unable to take one step towards each other
Have we taken a thousand steps away from each other?
The mountain again stood mighty in our path
I ask the trail-will we cross over?
It answers-I don't know.

After a tedious toil, you return holding my dreams
And seat your frail self on the trail
And eagerly look at me,
Holding you by the hand leading you on,
I answer-'Come! Mountain or no mountain,
If you think I can- I can'

Seema.J
1st-April-2012