HOME AGAIN Poem by Ashok Vajpeyi

How will Mother know
we have come back
to her home
after so many years?

For a while she will be surprised
thrown into disbelief
by our faces laden with dust -
then she will recognize us
scaling heights of joy
plumbing depths of sorrow

Her home will not be
near the Ganges
or under the shade
of a sacred grove,
she would have rented out
a house, as usual
in a crowded locality
filled with noise.

Then Father will come
as always look at us
without a word
finish off his dinner
laid out on the table
clearing his throat
search for some sweets
in the cupboard.

Tired we will fall asleep
wake up next morning
as if living there
for years,
leaving one home
we will move on to another
as if it were
the same home.