to find me that something

the thing I was searching

I left the city

to find me that something

this ain’t no another poem

this one’s a different musing

---

I was twenty-five

and it was a fine dawn

twenty more minutes

and it would be a sunny morn

---

I sang a John Denver’s

“All my bags are packed,”

other than the clothes

with books it was stacked

---

A couple water bottles

and slippers, I kept a pair

Mommy kissed goodbye

dad said, “take care”

---

There was no plan

just this idea I had

and Mom told, ‘wherever you go,’

be a nice lad

---

I hitchhiked to the hills

they are too pure

I ain’t the only one saying

anyone they can lure

---

I spent there a month

to find me that something

still didn’t know what it was

the thing I was searching

---

I met a monk

in the Himalayas it was

he smiled and asked

son, “tell, what’s your cause?”

---

I said, I’m here

but I don’t have a cause

since the life seemed boring

I thought to take a pause

---

The monk said go

and explore a little more

you will find whatever you seek

about this I’m sure

---

I planned my next route

and wondered where to go

I wanted it to be exhilarating

cause last twenty five years were slow

---

I started my journey towards south

it was all the more fun

somedays I did rest

other days I did run

---

I read a couple books

from Alchemist to Autobiography

Some books on stoicism

Others about Indian geography

---

I met a lot of people

all of them indeed, exciting

some loved too much

others did some fighting

---

I have lived in India

for all these years

but every experience seemed new

will share the story with my peers

---

Too south I went

I found myself on a beach

the sky was blue and pink

too high for my reach

---

The winds blew strong

but there was an utter calm

I don’t know what it was

but the place had a different charm

---

I spent there a month

to find me that something

now started to realise what it was

the thing I was searching

---

For many days and nights

I spent my time at sea

Even the birds are chained to the sky

But there, I felt free

---

Saw the sailors sailed

and tourists did come

they too had parties

with wine and rum

---

Some things I always wished

about which I learned some more

went from here to there

and all I did was explore

---

From north to south

and from east to west

Now I was moving fast

I hardly did rest

---

Sometimes I had troubles

other times it was comfort

Sometimes I had a bath

but mostly it was dirt

---

It took me hundred days but now

I started my journey towards home

My family and friends stared at me

as If I was just born

---

Everyone asked a question

did you find that something

And with a peaceful smile on my face I said

“The answer is blowin’ in the wind.” 🙂

~ Naman Manchanda