The scent of paper
The smell of ink
Do you remember it?
Can you recall
the postcards, inland
and airmail letters?
Photo postcards,
acknowledgements
and registered letters?
Every letter was
replete with
emotions.
Some sad,
some happy.
Some merely jovial.
Who can forget
the time of pen-pals?
The more one had,
the more popular
the person was.
The rolling of 'Rs'
in a specific manner,
the formulation of 'Gs'
and the curl of 'Zs.'
All brought
an untold joy.
One page letter,
two pages or more.
The number of pages
determined the involvement
of the sender.
The outpourings of
love and affection,
the rose of the love-letter.
Emotions were rooted
in every word.
Every word
brought the sender
closer.
She/ he had come home,
to love, warmth and belonging.
The wait for the postman
Kept one on tenterhooks.
The letter had to be
Smelt, felt, read and assimilated
On its arrival.
Words of the letter
Brought a father,
Working away in a distant state,
Nearer.
Sisters, brothers, cousins
Felt together.
The news, anticipation and joy
Of meeting
During school holidays
Was brought by letters.
Heart would miss a beat
On receiving a telegram
It might be the harbinger
Of bad news.
Bracing oneself,
Heart racing
With trembling fingers
Opening the telegram
Jumping with joy
On receiving good news.
Can typing
Replace the connection,
The overwhelming emotions one felt
With paper, pen, ink?
Even today
I cannot shake off
The bond
The connection
The joy
I feel
When I write on paper.
My love of language
Stems from my love
For writing.
A love I intend
To continue
Till death do us part.
November 18, 2021 at 8. 45 P. M.
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