I Remember…

By Shreyas Sundara Raman

I remember the last nights of summer vacation, ruminating the misery to come.

I remember catching Ho-Oh with Akhil’s advice, still in awe of my first DS.

I remember learning to roll Bakugan at lunch -- the trick was to aim at the center.

I remember weekly sleepovers and dinner, waning to less, then never.  

I remember my agony on the hospital bed, unable to walk for a month.

I remember the giant card my classmates sent me, hoping that I will get better soon.

I remember feeling jealous of Harrison, because he played the Prince yet I was the Narrator.

I remember losing (4-0) a football match to a shoeless Sri Lankan tea-plucker.

I remember the long lines for dodgeball during lunch-time sports. 

I remember bringing uneaten lunch boxes back home. 

I remember shooting hoops with Mr. O'Keefe - he ignited my sporty spark. 

I remember playing basketball most evenings, until the lights came on in the park.

I remember doing so before getting any homework done.

I remember my first episode of ATLA, while gorging on mom’s first home-made pizza.

I remember hearing Obama’s inaugural speech on the telly when it was live.

I remember some wars in Iran and Afghanistan, I feel that’s when fear began to thrive.

I remember the “A+ track” on the ‘path to success’ that my dad drew on the wall.

I remember my stomach curdling for my first exam, I wanted to get a good grade.

I remember my first Christmas — no tree but presents hidden under my pillow.

I remember the lovely taste of Ma’s Rava Kesari: aromatic, orange and yellow.

I remember the gut-wrenching nausea, when I couldn’t finish my geography essay on time.

I remember listening to “Die Young” by Ke$ha: it was my first taste of Western music. 

I remember the whizzing lights and the itch to move, during my first MRI.

I remember being home alone, as dad flew to Syria and I tried not to cry. 

I remember resurrecting ancient relics — my dusty Bakugan and Beyblades 7 years later.

I remember crying after Keldeo died, before returning to the shelter on time. 

I remember pushing like a mad freight-train, blending many nights to days before finals.

I remember receiving the email that I was Valedictorian - that summer was the finest. 

I remember Kel tugging hard on the leash, as we went on long walks in the winter.

I remember reading about the ‘Arab Spring’ a surge of terrified hope was brewing.

I remember being transfixed to physics and science after seeing the diary of Einstein. 

I remember Wyren the dragon, born of my dreams, who soared beside me in the war of nine. 

I remember….

By Shreyas Sundara Raman