I remember

SJC I remember
your vast expanse of grounds-

that spread the world

out there for me

in many a vibrant colour

there I saw esteemed

Sister Mary

as chubby as her kindness

that was there defined

in every single crease

on that friendly face

dignity stood proud

upon a lone white hair

jutting from her chin.

SJC I remember
our nose fronted 'Blue Bus'
it ferried squash'd and squeeling

school kids, plus

my half dozen siblings

from Krishna Puri to

the Ghat Mahendroo

its wheels did steadily reel

screechily when bus

came to halt

were throngs and throngs

of hawkers-

they yelled to shell out

pachak and golgappa

peppered guava did entice

while mouth watering were

the lavishly served

spicy chats of aaloo.

The moustached 'Golden' man

doled out

ice-creams from his box

his indulgent smile

spoke in volumes of satisfaction

it flick'd and gleam'd

as lollies were licked off

we then galloped

on and on, hopped across

rows and rows of

stone bench

to hastily quench

the thirst we drank

from leaky cups

of hand.

SJC I remember
flights of hungry ravens-
in hoards they swooped

down upon mates

who flock'd in grounds

behind shut green gates

to run in merry play

it was then

those beasts descended

to prey at lunch hour

our food was grabbed

snatched taken away

devoured, consumed

in jolly galore;

all we did was turn

our eyes with a sorry sigh

to look up

at the open sky

with tears and dismay

SJC I remember

those ghostly ghostly tales
spun by boarders -

they cheekily played

silly games of planchett

then recounted with brags

of gal nightly visits

and spiritly encounters

to astound and scare

very life off us, who

turned away in gay abandon,

bidding them adieu-

every afternoon

we went to homes

leaving them in school.

SJC I remember
the games - budhiya kabbadi
kho kho, dots and crosses

roses and posies
march to beat of drums

chanting prayers

and hymns were sung
in classrooms and assembly;

sounds of songs rose high

to kiss, reverberate

thru' the beams that adorn'd

our old music hall

a lasting spell was cast upon us

when Bollywood classics

got screened-

then there were

plays, debate, elocution

fancy dress competition

were held to cheer, enchant

there was challenge and salute

with varied talent displays.

SJC I remember
eerie narrow stairs

right beside the auditorium door

that led high

to junior lab and library

it catered with

Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys,

Famous Five, Secret Seven
Naughty Girl of Enid Blyton
thrilled to bits, primed us

for adventures

in our lives.

In lessons were: 'Miss

please excuse me'

for not needed escapades to loo

then were times

when we conspired

to peek inside

the habit to gain

some very naughty views

then were times

of innocent wander

exploring the rear corridors

curiosity brought me

to chance and peep inside

nuns' living quarters

where silence often graced

aisles were quiet

inside the Chapel

where I could get

a taste of peace.

SJC my alma mater

I'll always remember

the decade well spent

learning what

life ought be from you:

physical and social sciences
man is a social animal
problem solving with maths
hand in hand go rights and duty

honour, courage and humility

to let devotion integrity

guide, be compass

when ways felt lost

we learnt here to

say with ease - 'I love you'

and lasting friends for life

I gained so many, SJC

I got much

too much from you.