SNOWFLAKES

There was no warning at all.
The snow flakes came down dancing
And the new joy
Of running out to the sidewalk
To catch the flurries
As they drained out.
I hung my nose out to catch them.

Some words are always prophetic.
Mama had scolded, back in time,
‘Son, be careful, you catch
A cold too soon’.

Forty three years:
A mother’s words.

My hair was under wraps,
My gloves were pure leather,
My feet had boots strapped almost upto my knees
My ears had plugs
And neck covered in a shawl
And the ski cap hung tightly to my forehead
My overcoat dared not dance with the wind

And then they came;
These flurries of my life.
They had no fear.
They were perfect like crystal.

May be a child
Could have put out a tongue
And caught those snowflakes
Dancing down the aisles
And sidewalks of a street.
But I am no more one.
This is my busy life,
I have children of my own
And I teach the young and the old.

Is there any shame in catching
The flurries as they dance?
Shall I stick my tongue out
And let them melt?
No, No, Not yet! I held back
And I hung my nose out to catch them.