From Bedroom To Veranda. Poem by Subhadip Bhattacharya

You do not only become a traveller
If only have you travelled continents.
Or scaled mountains and forests.
I travelled from my bedroom to balcony.

It took me twelve years.
Yes I travelled. It took me through
Many streets desolate, drunk mob,
Blank job interviews, writing and re writing
Resume on Microsoft word,
Quarrels with close ones, deleting phone
Numbers.

It took me through the angle between
The sun's rays and the living room.
Through the old Almira that contained
Me and my brother's old books
And the atlas that I liked so much.

The shadow of the jackfruit tree that
Falls on the balcony, between the
Two doors of the other rooms.
Yes, I did travel.
Staying glued on bed no more.
From alcoholic to a refresher,
Enjoying sunlight after a long time.

Standing at the veranda, seeing a storm
Challenge the jackfruit tree.
And the starlit sky also shows signs
Of motion. Of traveling through the cosmos.
The sun, the moon, our earth... travel
Through the time.
I have travelled with my soul, my
Eyes have found rest. Through light and
Darkness.
To come up to a point, where one can
See. To contemplate and be at rest.
At peace. The body as if rests after a
Long travel.
At the veranda.