I standstill...
need time to reflect on the roadway
and its surroundings up to our house.
The naked trees seem detached and exposed,
snowflakes flit here and there,
melt as they rest on my eyelashes.

The walk is long,
appears by no means to end,
here's the exact spot...
where Dad bribed me with lollipops,
a promise of a new bicycle,
coaxed me into the front seat of his sedan.
It brings to mind his black eyes,
thin dark moustache and deep dimples.

I went missing on that day,
don't remember my age or the year,
never said good-bye to Mom.
She probably won't recognize me...
nor me her, It's been almost thirteen years.
Even now I get a whiff of the vanilla fragrance,
recollect her greenish-brown eyes,
ringlets of auburn hair poking out a hairnet,
as tender hands rubbed away a crumb
with a caring bubble-like wide smile.

Approach the house...
expect to see her standing in the doorway,
open-eyes close as my world tumbles,

Dad didn't tell me she was gone.