The fallen leaves and the broken twigs of branches crunched under the pressure of my foot. A few thorns scraped against my legs as I moved forward on my way but I paid no heed to them. I could worry about the wounds later but first I need to find it.
The sun shone down upon the leaves of the trees and the trees instead produced a shadow for people like me who like to trespass in the calm of the woods. The huge trees enveloped me in their embrace while I tried to find my way out of them. There were a few wild flowers blooming within a few feet before me and instinctively, my feet led me to them.
There was a whole bunch of different colors of flowers, some red, some yellow and the others a tint of purple. My fingers got hold of one flower and its soft petal kissed my finger in return. The sunshine danced on it as I touched it. The leaves were an olive green and its thin green stalk cherished the wind’s touch.
I bent down and sat down on a small rock beside the flowers. They spoke to me in whispers while I replied to them with a smile. There was a distant sound of a cricket but its origin remained unknown in the dense woods. I could hear the faint music of water splashing on the hard rocks, shaping them on their way, making it change its contours and smoothening its edges and I knew my journey was about to finish.
My feet hurt a little from walking for so long without any destination fixed in my mind and I think it kind of resembles life in some aspects. We keep on walking on our way, ignorant to where we are going. Although we have a destination fixed, we sometimes need to take a new route, change our path for our own good and in doing so we forget what our destination was supposed to be. Just like I am doing now. I completely forgot the reason I am here for and sat down, complimenting the flowers for its color.
I got up from the rock and dusted my pants. Taking a deep breath of the fresh forest air, I prepared myself for the last part of my journey.
I walked in the direction of the sound of the water and after a lot of turns, many confusing paths I stood before it. Before me lay the river I had come in search for. Its rippling waves made contact with the rocks underneath and produced a sound that when heard, would seem like music to ears. The water sparkled with life as it was being showered with the sun’s blessings. The tiny living organisms under the surface of the water moved just with as much enthusiasm as the water did to keep its flow going.
I kicked off my shoes to the side and without any thought, bent down. My hands cupped as much water as they could and it tingled against my palms. The water was cold and as soon as it kissed my lips and ran down my throat, I felt eternal bliss.
Platform:- SPLIT POETRY INDIA
Editor:- Gautam Jha
Split Poetry India 