Coiffeur

I was amazed,

Here, in the heart of my bustling city,

Was this quiet soul from Seoul.

And I wondered,

What brought her here? What made her stay?

What ambition and what goal?

 

Here, in this land,

Shim Joo ran a quaint saloon,

Amidst the heat and noise of a dingy mart

But who could trade,

I could fathom not -

That Hondae home for Kasba’s dirt?

 

She smiled,

Could I understand,

What was it that filled her heart,

‘The people,’ she softly tried

Somewhere they make you see the end,

And then somewhere else a start'

 

‘I left home

For I had to find a home anew,

Until here I found - a Spring after a Fall.

This city gave,

More than I could ever ask - smiles, warmth

Above all, a heart to fit us all.’

 

I smiled,

The city of Joy, home always

Not just for those who grew up here,

But for more,

Souls from western and eastern shores

Who despite the mess, found a bit of care

 

The skyline reminds,

With all its kirks, minarets, monasteries                

You leave home with a lot of pain,

But somewhere on,

You find an oasis with hearts that heal -

There, you find home, all over again…

 11^th Feb, 2023

 

Inspired by real events, when I met a Korean Coiffeur in the heart of Kolkata