Photo of Dr. Amitabh Mitra in an Art Gallery of his hospital where he works that was once a polyclinic. SHIPWRECK OF MEMORIES the old ship
of memories
and minds
had wrecked on to
the rocks of
Transkei
the mast has fallen
and its harboring
feelings
are seen half submerged
yet they are everywhere
old loves
of old Gwalior
of old Naxalites
lingers
and thinking
how you would be looking
now
and that ship I dreamt
I would be aboard
I believe I am
aboard
the familiar
ahoy
of the old mariner
rings in me
and in my
mind.

© Dr. Amitabh Mitra Above, this Acrylic on Canvas, a shipwreck of memories named Jacaranda,
near the home of Dr. Amitabh Mitra, also painted by him. "GWALIOR DAYS"

It's raining out here and I think of you, your voice streaming in melodies. The pitter patter of raindrops on our 1910 Dutch mansion reminds me of your music conglobated with medicine. I find myself in depths of complete awe allowing me to feel your aura, your closeness, the aroma still insists and persists in dreams and wakefulness. Medicine took the priority and you loomed the highest in your subject at a faraway land. In such days, when I try to recognize a singular melody, the raga brings me back to your home where we talked about everything other than medicine. I travelled to many African countries since and each one showed the single jingle of anklets where sometimes and those times remained the same. I remember you in Gwalior, regal in red silk, a Garara emblazoned in gold, golden tear drops glistening from your hairdo, the gazelle form, coy and demure and then you suddenly smiled. The worst hurt was when time suddenly stood still, and I also decided to leave Gwalior. But strangely I remember you so often. It has been nearly forty-five years since. Life and love still gathers many trails. I do wish sometimes in the eye of an emerging storm, I can hold you the last time again. It's raining and Paul Simon is blowing my mind.

© Dr. Amitabh Mitra Anthology: "Women's Poetry of India and South Africa", recently published by Dr. Mitra. A poem by Sukrita Paul Kumar, recited by Santosh Bakaya on YouTube ANTHOLOGY - "Women's Poetry of India and South Africa" is available on Amazon. Dr. Amitabh Mitra Website