Rain

I ran in the rain
Down to the mango grove tonight
Where we used to twirl together
And you had already left.
All that remained
were your footprints
Still fresh in the hardened mud
Of those favorite stomping grounds.
There were still a few ducks
Resting under
Our favorite Mango tree,
The One
Where I  found you
Lost in ecstasy.
The ducks were very clear
Tonight
when I asked why you had left,
Despite the quick retreat,
They said you were still dancing
as you went away
and you were soft and gentle when you said,
"I have many important things to do for now,
but tell him I'll be back someday soon."
Then,

You kissed each one
upon their heads
and  climbed onto
a fortunate tree,
embraced the bark
for quite some time and
then smiled and said
Goodbye with great affection,
before twirling off
in your sweet new found direction.
I wish I was there
when you had left
to gently take the leaves
out from your hair,
and say a long goodbye.
(And to tell you how much you  mean to me).
Of course I know
you are always here,
right within my heart
and I trust the ducks
when they say you are still twirling.

So,  
Dear One,
I bow my head
to your muddy feet, 
and hope someday,
we can dance together
again

in the mud and rain.




Narayan