Looking Back Poem by SUJATA VARMA

There was a time when

Toys never failed to amuse me
Flowers would always thrill me

There was a time when
I was always ready for a game
Or for any trick you name.

There was a time when
It was fun in a drama to act
And wait breathlessly for the audience to react
Or even to take part in a song
And be thrilled when the applause went for long!

There was a time when
It was fun to bunk some classes
To see a movie that thrilled us lasses

There was a time when
Beautiful dresses were a necessity
And you know how soon
fashions change in a city.

There was a time when
Jewels never failed to fascinate me
And dreams of a beautiful future
would always haunt me.

There was a time when
It took so little to make me happy
Those were the days my friend
I thought they would never end!