DELHI

Dil walon ki Dilli (Delhi)

Was always frowned upon by me,

Happy being a small town girl,

But the city just pulled and called

The thin, frail, gawky me,

One afternoon landed up in Delhi.

These people were alien,

I would step like a Fabian,

People laughed at my 'aap' and 'hum',

Raised their eyebrows on 'tum',

I was alert and caught it all

Calling them 'tu', I had a ball.

Paharganj and Daryaganj,

KNags and Malkaganj,

Pahadi Dhiraj and Dareeba,

Khari Baoli and Kucha Rahiman,

Karol Bagh, Lajpat Nagar,

Curiously scanned my eyes eager.

Wengers ke cakes, tarts, Shami,

Karim's Biriyani, Kababs and Nahari,

Kake da Dhaba and Al-kauser,

Nathu's and Keventer's,

Meals at monastery and Bercos both rock,

Yes I was in for a gastronomic shock.

Jalebis and Chhola bhaturas,

Gol gappas and Kulcha chana,

Moth and Shakarkandi,

The Kulfi on a 'dandi',

Shadi ka khaanaas

And milna, milaanaas.

I loved it all,

Yes, love did call,

This is where I lost my heart,

Got myself my sweetheart,

Fell head over heels in love,

Bequeathed myself to my beloved.

The historical monuments all stood witness,

The Qutub, Red Fort and others in all their greatness,

Witness to my love story,

Flourishing in their shadow, in all glory,

All were my pilgrimages, the Regal, Rivoli, Golcha,

Archana, Savitri, Chanakya and Priya.

Delhi is where my heart lies now,

I became close to it somehow,

I became a wife here,

To two handsome boys I am a mother,

All of it I got in Delhi

Delhi is like that good, generous fairy.

I now love Delhi with all its extremities,

All the naughtiness that the name carries,

Delhi is full of myriads of memories,

Intricately woven in my life's tapestry,

Memories of Dad and Mom,

Who left me forever in loving Delhi's arms.

 

©®Madhumita