AHMEDABAD

Ahmedabad,

Once the capital city of Gujarat,

The sixth largest city in India,

Seventh in metropolitan area,

The land of Bapu and Kasturbaa,

Of the Vaghelas and Shahs,

The 'Manchester of the East',

Comes with 'Gujju Thali' treats,

Cool clear Sabarmati 

Flowing with the Gujarati melodies,

Ruled my many it's a conglomeration of many,

A piece of heritage are the 'Pols' of the walled city,

Reminded am I of the Sabarmati riverfront, the Fort of Bhadra,

Lakes Chandola, Vastrapur and Kankariya,

Maninagar and Ellis Bridge,

Sabarmati Ashram and Nehru Bridge,

Life moves like Bapu's Charkha,

Woven around Shodhan, Sanskar Kendra and Amdavad ni Gufa,

The garbas of Navratri,

The celebrations of Deepawali and rangolis,

Yummy dhoklas and theplas,

Fafdas and dhebras,

The Manek Chowk that in the morning is a veggie market,

By the afternoon turns into a jewellery arcade,

Colourful tie and dye bandhinis,

From Madhupura get beautiful mojdis,

A land with a long history,

Full of so many stories,

A city that is put to sleep but still manages to be awake,

Never to be beaten by violence, battles or quakes,

I always longed to go back to Ahmedabad,

But now I do not feel like, feel sad

For it is full with the memories of a colleague and friend,

Who very soon met his end,

His laughter and words reverberate,

Reminding me of the time we once did celebrate,

The air with his memory is rife,

Reminding of him the sobs of his children and wife, 

Till I gather the strength again

To fight back the memories and the pain,

Dear Ahmedabad!

You as a shining gem, in my memory I have.

 ©®Madhumita