Celebration

By Jayanta Biswas

The gestures from 'love'

--honest and warm,

unconditional as

a mother's expectation

from her child--

of celebrating this

adult birthday of forty seven

in a tranquil room

turned a new soul

with the lady's touch

after evening has long set in

with twenty lean but

coloured candle burning

in the temporary darkness

of the warm atmosphere

and some loving gifts

the birthday "hymn' and clapping

in pure unstinted calm

sung by the one

who used to be the occupant

of this very soulful room:

who from a weakling bride

turned into a strong woman

and a mother of two

and metamorphosed

like a Phoenix

from the ashes of

yesteryears' agonies and pains--

was too much for an expectation

by the habitual loner

who being overwhelmed

became more poised still.

The sharing of chocolates

nibbled by one and

taken by the both of them.

And one more piece

for the birthday "boy"

before his self-made tea

(the other already had it

in her upper floor room)

and the sharing thereafter

beyond the apparent humour

and smiles and grins

meant much for them both.

Neither the man

nor the other

could be sure if

this little dose of communication

in such private sphere

the first of its kind--

although he has stayed here

well over a year--

and this pleasant surprise

of secret celebration

that hit her mind

would be of any use

to her sleepless nights.

Opportunities landed the two

to have this proximity

previously unsavoured

and uncharted ever;

for it is not that dark

night has not gone long into it

the gatekeepers and other

curious and moral police

are still out

but could be anytime in.

It would be wise

to call this "tryst"

a goodbye

and this meeting

or this celebration

to put to its end

although with some memories

to be treasured sweet and pure

and the evening to cherish

for some unknown time.

By Jayanta Biswas