Postman Baba

@ Authored & created by : Anup D.

www.birdscry.wordpress.com

Sitting down on my bench outside an empty street I see my wreathed bicycle by my side besides the wall -It’s punctured and tyre is burst

Just watching it, makes me feel I should get a new one

It has now lived its life

It has seen the rain

It has seen the sun

It has seen the moonlit cheerful house courtyards

It has seen the spring and the autumn too

It has seen the giggles on the street

It has seen the kids playing stapu (hopscotch)

It has seen the streets filled with holi colors

It has seen neighbor’s gossips

It’s has lived it’s life, like I have

But not as much as I have, I am 83 now

Should I get the puncture fixed or should I buy a new one

Ramesh tyre shop is not far

I should go, before it gets too dark

But …………………………..

…………(Silence)….........

...........…………………….

………………………………….

do I really need to get this fixed ?

All kids have grown old

They talk on the phone, and use their machines

No one sends letters anymore

Where will I go ?

Who will I deliver the letters to?

Who will share their joys?

Who will give me sweets, when I announce their job letter?

The birth of babies

The visit of Nani and Nana

The homecoming of the son

My old eyes see the world being connected

I don’t see I’m useful anymore

This world have changed and it must

I think I should retire too

But

What will I do when I retire?

My life have been spent delivering letters from address one to address two

How will I not deliver them the happiness?

Why would they not want to share their sorrows with me anymore?

Why would Chinki not jump with joy, after hearing Nana and Nani are visiting home

This road is empty now, but I’m sure some neighbor’s are gossiping on the other road

I must not retire….

I should get the puncture fixed

Ramesh tyre shop is not too far

I should go, before it gets too dark

As the old postman walked up 10 feet, with his bicycle. His son came from the back and held his hand

Where are you going Baba, come and get back to home, it’s getting dark

It’s been 10 years and you do the same every day…

All kids have grown old baba

They talk on the phone, and use their machines

No one sends letters anymore

This world have changed now

You must retire too…….

P.s: Should he retire?….may be ‘yes’, now cos the world have changed or may be ‘no’, cos somewhere deep down we are all the same