A Drop Of Ink Poem by Hans Raj Sharma

A drop of ink making
Making millions to think
Knowing the times-
I recollect, remembering
My ‘FATTI' and ‘WAASTA'
‘QALAM' and ‘DWAAT'
Making me along to walk
Walk bare-foot ten miles daily
To reach the common school
Single teacher, single room
For all the five classes I to V
The only Government school.

Carrying along with
An empty jute bag each
Individual to sit over
Being no arrangement
There in the open
On the ground
Just, to learn the basics.

Today, when I think-
Comparing with those days
A drop of blue-black ink
Making millions to think
Knowing, those times-
My age-group so rejoices.
-Copyright © hrsharma ®2017
Ludhiana, Punjab, India.

Foot-notes:
‘FATTI'- a wooden slate to write on
‘WAASTA'- a bag meant for books and note-books etc.
‘QALAM'- a wooden pen made to write with ink.
‘DWAAT'- an inkpot made of clay or tin.