The broken boat stranded on a desolate coast

When my wandering heart caught a glance

of the wretched wooden creature ,

that hardly resembled the image of an old fashioned boat,

my eyes travelled in a flashback,

that seemed so full of life yet so absurd.

Even though I was firmly rooted to the spot,

I could hear the footsteps of my heart

walking on the path of sentiment

that haunted the quiet solitary coast.

I could hear the laughter of jolly children 

endless gossips and high pitched discussions of men and women,

the chirping birds,

and the naughty splash 

when the tides ran through the majestic rocks.

Vendors crying out to tempt the children

towards their enticing stalls

containing cotton candies,tarts,pastries and colourful handmade toys.

Seafood joints made of bamboo sticks,

carrying an impressive coastal look,

with customers swarming in and out

every now and then.

The wild rush of the wind

making its own unique noise.

My eyes had to run fast 

so that I didn't miss a moment.

While stabilising my bamboozled mind,

I caught the glimpse of a little girl,

bearing the widest smile of all,with the numbered fingers firmy curled

around the fleshy,protective index finger

of a smart,well built young man

that could be none other than her father.

They both walked swiftly through the cold sandgrains through their feet,

talking about the planets,the stars and the far off lands.

The father kept asking the young girl 

if her little feet were tired

and she said a proud 'no' each time

just to show how strong a daughter she was.

Neither did the father feel tired of narrating stories

of bravery,values and wisdom,

nor did the girl lack interest,

and on went their warm and wise talk ,

even when the colour of the sky changed.

As it was getting dark ,and fear clutched the cold arm of the girl,

she climbed into her father's  soldiers

and they both started leaving the coast .

It was not until now that I felt like watching so keenly.

A chill ran through my nerves and I froze.

What a magnificient bonding I had with my Dad

and even now what magnificient bonding it was meant to be .

I have no right to blame either him oor the circumstances.

It was me,who had thoughtlessly stopped talking to him.

Even though it was me who possessed it now,

I should have never ignored the noble people

by whom 'my life' was gifted to me.

As I was heading on the journey of realisation,

I stumbled.

Something cold and harsh touched my knees .

With a flick of the eyelid ,

I was out of the movie.

Twilight was deepening in the real world

and right before me was a broken boat,

the same one,

however not in the same condition

of which I had caught a short glimpse 

In the flashback that I had witnessed a few moments ago.

I felt as if the wild wind rushing towards me

shook me by my arms

trying to make me realise,

even a smart teen like me had a child's heart.

And now, a soft smile takes hold of my face

when I say Dad

"It was a broken boat stranded on the desolate coast 

that brought me back to your kind heart."