The Heart's Desire
Purulia, West Bengal
The heart desires to lose once more
In childhood’s joy, a time so bright—
I dress up just like I did before,
In the little child’s attire, pure delight!
A golden stick, a silver stick
In the captive king’s daughter’s hand—
Crossing seven seas so quick,
I search for them across the land.
I play with dolls, my sister near
In between the studies' chase—
I braid her hair with love and cheer,
And ask her to tell mother’s grace!
I’ll laugh and giggle, full of glee
As I sit on my mother’s lap—
But those days, oh, how I long to see,
They linger still, a fond old map.