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As several years later, I stepped out of the past,
And eagerly for first sight of Howrah Bridge I cast,
Till by Super Sleek Model was brought short in surprise.
OH! from where did this rival of beloved landmark arise?
Till shaking off my reverie, for a taxi did I scram,
Somewhere slowly and steadily,
Aaa jug jug went a tram.
Missing tram lines on the road had me in a puzzle,
Till told of fast trains that underground do nuzzle,
Dreamt I of music, friends and decorations - shopping on Christmas day,
When Spice-Kings grant Spice boons to the generally spicy fray,
And mounds and mounds of cheese replace the butter and the jam....
Somewhere slowly and steadily
Aaa jug jug went a tram.
For newer pastures renouncing cheaper, rattling bus's demand,
Behind Metro's self-shutting doors in wonder do I stand?
Gazing out to find - there is nothing there to gaze,
Taking cue from my neighbor, I scrutinize his face.
Hardly familiar with marks and dents,
And lo! Here I am!
Far away at a distance
Aaa jug jug went a tram.
Jauntily cutting familiar route, rosy visions beat hasty retreat,
Forlorn and lost, with no wish to compete,
With capsule lifts full of youngsters - tikkas, rolls and kababs,
Chinese! Continental! South Indian! Luring bands, jeans and tops!
No sindoor, sari and key bunches if you please
For the modern teenage Ma'am
Yet with all its ancient rhythm,
Aaa jug jug goes a tram.
Driven by memories of school days,
Within Airport gates I found,
International Airport had erased memories and school to the ground,
Sadly gazed at my father's grave and said, "Dear Father,
I am with you - thought I alive and you have gone farther.
Belong you and I to the past, along a dear Adam,
Agreeing wholly with my view,
Aaa jug jug went a tram.
But yet such a picture made my sagging spirits soar,
Simple roadside vendors still holding people in allure
Innocent traders not knowing the important part they play
In completing Calcutta's picture even to this day!
And thought I that there is really no cause for alarm,
Somewhere slowly and steadily
Aaa jug jug went a tram.
Back home on a Sunday afternoon, when all shops do close,
'Cept sweet shops for the sweets and the Medical for the dose,
Switching on the radio, only to find that they're still there!
The old familiar tunes still singing into the air!
"Slowly! Slowly! Ladies! - Behind conductor's protective arms,
And swaying slowly and steadily,
Aaa jug jug goes the tram!
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