Childhood places,
left quite behind so many years ago,
call they to me from time to time
to visit them once more-
I walk those places in memory.

Red roofed
the cottage where I lived.
It nestled snug in a valley.
Its garden was filled with marigolds.
Its driveway lined with eucalyptus-
I smell the fragrance of those leaves,
As I walk that path in memory.

Fruit laden
The orchards on the hills,
where walls of stone
climbed up and down to fence them in.
The apples, pears and oranges
the plums, the peaches, apricots
and prickly chestnuts too-
I taste their flavours yet again,
As I walk those hills in memory.

Splendid the fall of water.
From lofty heights it crashed
to tumble down into a pool,
right there behind our house.
Its power was used to spin the wheel.
Its waters streamed towards the fields.
In it we bathed, splashed away our summer days-
Those joyous sounds, that gurgling laughter echo
As I swim those waters in memory.

Tall, dark and handsome
evergreen stood deodar, pine and oak.
The forest
lush with herbs and flowers of various kinds.
The jungle paths
led there sometimes, where birds and beasts did live.
I see again that panther black,
Stand still with eyes a gleam,
as father drove his jeep one night into the forest road.
I walk that road in memory.

Best of the best.
Himalayas
Stretched white from east to west.
They sparkled bright with pristine wealth.
They touched the sky to greet the sun.
And blushed quite pink at every break of day-
I feel again the awe the wonderment
As I view those peaks in memory.

I might go here, I might go there,
but they are well within my reach,
the places of my childhood-
I touch them often, invariably
As I travel back in memory.