I Was Never Alone Poem by Bishnupada Sethi

Little did I realise then
Decades ago when-
I would've to step out
Of my ancestral home
In that remote corner
After a short visit there
To the town where I studied
And later several times to distant places
In search of a better world,
What would she be undergoing
Not having any clue
Where I was headed to
Or if I would reach there unhurt
And stay safe
Being unsure when she sees me next.

She would walk behind me
Outside of the home
A few furlongs
And stop when
I vanished out of her sight.

It used to be an old world
Not many thought of leaving
Looking for something better.
The journey from the serpentine village road
Ended in the big city
Covering thousands miles
On foot, rickshaw, bus and train.

She would be waiting back there
With constant prayers on her lips
The heartbeat at times going faster
Refusing food and water
Till the postman arrived
A week later with news-
I reached safe and was doing fine.

Oblivious of what goes on elsewhere
I would march ahead for
I had taken responsibilities
On my slender shoulders.
I must realise a dream,
A secure future.

Looking back now, I find
All the roads that I had traveled
Bear certain foot marks.
I was never alone.
Invisibly present
She guided through
Her prayers and good wishes
Led from all junctions.
All the mile posts had marks
Of her pure love and promises.
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5Dec21