Confessions Of Urmila 11 - The Journey Poem by Unnikrishnan Sivasankara Menon

It was just Lakshaman and me in the chariot
our charioteer was a skilled old man
Lakshman explained to me the towns, cities
even the trees and flowers on the way.

We had to cross the dense forest en route,
sensing no fear on my face, he asked
"are you not scared? wild animals do not
follow your rules when they attack" he joked.

"Why fear, with Ram who cleared
Thadakavanam of the demons, leading us
and his fierce brother Lakshman by my side? "
"but I'd love to test your swordsmanship" he joked again.

I had not known that Soumitri had hidden
a romantic heart behind his serious face,
I enjoyed every moment with him
in the new turn of my life. I was happy.

Whenever we stopped on our way,
the queens, the Maharaja and Ram
came to our chariot enquiring of
our comfort and gave directions to the suuta.

In those alien terrains, I felt secure
as I was in the palaces of Mithila.