I saw her a decade after,

After parting from alma mater.

***

At first it was difficult

For me to recollect her first.

***

She was talking while walking

With her off-shoot following.

***

I saw her glittering eyes

And recapitulated her voice.

***

How she had a child?

The tale is old.

***

I did halt, look and accost

Hi ! Chapala, how thou art?

***

With glued eyes trickled

She cried, and thus said:

***

“This girl is my love-child

Born due to my misdeed”.

***

I heard her tales of romance

And miseries she did evince.

***

I expressed my unhappiness

Over her acts of foolishness.

***

Rama Rao Saripalli

Chatrapur, Orissa, India

December 6, 1999.