Reading Time: 2 minutes
A teacher evokes memories of childhood longing and infatuation, for Soumya, in this witty verse, exclusively for Different Truths
My pulse was racing I had not felt like this in ages It took me back to my teens It happened when she looked directly at me I was admiring the lady on the dais In her crisp starched light coloured cotton saree Streaks of grey in her well-coiffured hair Black framed spectacles create an air of gravitas She spoke with wit and erudition I raised what I thought was a slightly impertinent question She looked at me over her glasses, Eyes twinkling with intelligence and indulgence And paused for a bit before her incisive retort Her smile took away the sting While putting me in my place But the subliminal thought was that She approved of my impertinence As it perhaps reminded her of Her younger and less reserved days I felt a rush of blood Was I in love once again? With a graceful lady of mature years Who could have been my teacher Unfortunately, while I was in college, She was a rising corporate star And now that I am making my mark in the marketplace She’s retired and sharing her wisdom from the teacher’s dais How I wish she were my teacher or boss I am unable to think of anything else, It’s like being back in school, Adolescent hormones raging in my blood Glancing at the girl From the school next door at the science fair And swearing that she would be mine Now I am an executive with a future A beautiful partner who compliments my life Here I am once again. A schoolboy in love with the teacher... what a cliché I am already plotting what to say to her When the tea break allows us to mingle Where will this lead? I am lost in happy, hopeless confusion.
Picture design by Anumita Roy
