Biography of My Bench - a poem by Sukhpreet Singh

Dedicated to my Children 

Biography of my endearing Bench 

The bench where I used to sit some twelve years back has broken down leaving no debris behind; yet I still remember its texture, faded colour, damaged sun mica, the scribbles that I made on it. 

I don’t know where the teacher that taught me Mathematics is; yet I still remember the reprimands that I received meekly from him for scribbling on that bench. 

The girl I shared the bench with, is moved abroad; but I still remember the nonsense we shared. 

The tiffin that I opened during periods on that bench is lost somewhere; yet I remember its colour and delicacies it carried. 

The tests which were attempted on that bench are lost; yet I remember the scoldings that the invigilators bombarded on me for being nonchalant. 

The scratches that the teacher’s ruler made on my bench are nowhere; yet I still remember that cacophonous noise that the ruler made. 

The promises we as friends made on that bench are not kept; yet I remember the excitement, honesty and seriousness while making those promises. 

The innocent face that sat on that bench has underwent a drastic change with ups and downs in life; yet I cherish that innocent face and wish to get that back. 

The dependent hand which relaxed on that bench, has grown to independent hand; yet it look for that dependence everywhere. 

The shoulder that I was offered on that bench to sob when broken is nowhere here; yet I remember the sincere consolation it offered. 

The ones who used to poke and infuriate me on that bench are nowhere here; yet I remember ‘em and cherish those pokes and infuriation. 

The dreams that I saw, the fancies I made on that bench, underwent changes with the passage of time; yet I remember the sincerity and truthfulness while making ‘em. 

The satchel that reclined on that bench is lost somewhere; yet I remember the different books and notebooks I carried in that. 

The uncomfortable naps that I had on that bench are rare here; yet I remember those naps and wish to have ‘em again.

The feet I hid under that bench for wearing fancy or sometimes sports shoes are now free; yet I look for that enslavement and specifically those black bata shoes. 

The body that sat grumbling on that bench for unlikeable uniform, is now free to wear anything; yet I look for that uniform. 

The complaints I made on that bench for too many tests are hushed now; yet I remember the every severe scolding I got from the teachers for those complaints. 

The schooling sucks, I stated on that bench; yet I crave to have it back. 

The bench was taken by many, making millions of memories on it. The bench vanished, memories lived. What seemed unattractive; attracts now. Alas! That bench is not here; but memories are. 

Make the maximum of it; my dear children. Live this period happily. Enjoy every scolding, reprimand, appreciation that you get on your bench. 

In grumbling we forget to value school, school teachers, friends, classmates; I regret; i wish you don’t. 

So start afresh with positive mindset!

Composed by 

Sukhpreet Singh

English Faculty