Sometimes, it is easy to rationalize other’s feelings…I cannot put my feelings in words…It has been four years to the day since I first came to Australia. A lot has happened in the past four years in my life. Some of it ordinary, some extra-ordinary and some…well just right!
Last night, I was invited to a dinner at a good friend’s. I politely declined the offer [I am not sure it was received as polite]. I wanted to spend some time..alone…and think about things.
Within a few minutes, I wanted to stop thinking…but couldn’t …so I resorted to something I always do when I don’t want to think. I watched a few movies…back to back. In all honesty, sometimes, movies or songs…or conversations of any kind….lead you down the paths you have traversed before. And its strange how there never is a new beginning, a new road…a new option…and you are at the same dead end…again.
That day, for no particular reason, I decided to go for a little run. So I ran to the end of the road. And when I got there, I thought maybe I’d run to the end of town. And when I got there, I thought maybe I’d just run across Greenbow County. And I figured, since I run this far, maybe I’d just run across the great state of Alabama. And that’s what I did. I ran clear across Alabama. For no particular reason I just kept on going. I ran clear to the ocean. And when I got there, I figured, since I’d gone this far, I might as well turn around, just keep on going. When I got to another ocean, I figured, since I’d gone this far, I might as well just turn back, keep right on going.
Just if you’re ever in trouble, don’t be brave. You just run, OK? Just run away.
[Forrest Gump, 1994]
The dialogue from the movie Forrest Gump, applies to the state I was in last night…No I did not go for a run (it was cold and I was hungover)…but may be I should have.
Are ruk ja re bandeh
Are thum ja re bandhe
Ki kudrat has padegi … ho
Are neendein hai jakhmi
Are sapne hai bhooke
Ki karvat phat padegi ho
Are mandir ye chup hai
Are masjid ye gumsum
Ibadat thak padegi ho
Samay ki lal aandhi
Yeh kabristan ke raaste
Are latpath chalegi ho
Kise kafir kahega
Kise kayar kahega
Teri kab tak chalegi ho
26th July, 2006;
A cold, windy and wet morning, I landed in Australia.
26th July, 2007;
On a cold, wet winter night I reminisced with a few drinks…
26th July, 2008;
On a cold, windy morning I came home on a train…
26th July, 2009;
I was there …
26th July, 2010;
I am here …
August 1st, 2010 at 04:19
Those words about the path traversed.. how true! Though I think that every time you revisit old events, you tend to extract new inferences from them and attach a new significance to each one of them. Now if that’s due to experiences gained en route, I’m not sure, maybe that’s one reasons. But maybe that’s just me!
The words you employed as sort of a reply to Forrest Gump’s lines were really good. Anyways, kudos on completing 4 years Down Under. Time flies, isn’t it!
August 6th, 2010 at 20:19
Yes. One needs to run. Always. Not away from it or because you are afraid. Others will find their (and your) purpose in it.
The soofi verse says it all. But its the poet’s view. We common should say,
Meri ab tak chal padi hai,
Meri Aaj bhi chal rahi hai,
Meri kal bhi chal padegi Ho..