by Janaki
(London)
I din't travel by bus to school 
Neither did my mother drive me there
With my friends and cousins
I had the best of childhood fun
During my primary school days
On my way to school 
Early start from home
The tropical sun was warm
Kids from the neighborhood 
Joined as we marched by
To feel the magic of the forest
On my way to school 
Avoiding the main road
And the cobbled village lane
Away from the adult eyes 
Swayed by the occult cries
Of the magic creepy crawlies
On my way to school 
Shuffling through the silky webs
Of the watchful Arachno-spies 
Slowing at the sight of scorpions 
Scurrying beetles and centipedes
We had to crawl in the woods 
On my way to school
The subtle sweet taste 
Of the wild cardamoms
Was hardly enough to suck 
and spit the pungent seeds
Yet it was a weird delicacy 
On my way to school 
Shiny purple Passion fruits 
Velvety blue wild olives
Inky violet Bovitiyas
Rasamora and blackberries 
Stimulated the taste buds
On my way to school
The years have gone by
Dwellings have reached the sky
Cobbled lane has disappeared 
Motor cars are revered 
I wander what the kids do now
On their way to school