little cottage on the hill
lime washed walls, timber frame
holds a million memories
only memories.
father’s gone to sleep
beside mother under stars.
children have flown away.
the pine tree is cut down
the poinsettia too,
red geraniums, gladioli and dahlias
all died, one by one.
and though it’s Christmas time
we’re not going home
for home is home no more.
when summer comes
wild daisies may bloom again
but we won’t be going home
home is home no more.
Malsawmi Jacob was brought up in Shillong and now lives in Bangalore with her family.
Photo: chilli.blogs.com
