Wrong Address Poem by Pradip Chattopadhyay

My house seemed unusually quiet
As I rang the hoarse calling bell
Quickly it passed my thought
Did I come to the wrong address?

The bell’s hoarseness shattered the peace
Something my house never did grace
The trademark noise one can never miss
So had I come at the wrong address?

She slowly came and opened the gate
The house was dark but for one room
I wondered if she slept till late
So there still hung a pall of gloom.

I sniffed the air to find what was amiss
Shook my head a little to shrug off the fears
Reigned everywhere a distraught-ing peace
In the house I’ve been returning for years.

I tiptoed on the floor lest it broke the silence
The hush appeared so incredible and fragile
The thought that peace even could make one tense
I couldn’t repress the inward flowing smile.

‘Why the house is so quiet dear what’s the mystery? ’
I saw a flirting smile prancing on her face
‘For a change I have switched off the TV

So you think you’ve come to the wrong address'!