Dear Teacher,

I still can faintly recollect that fateful day,

The day when I left my mother’s arms and comfort of home;

To come under your umbrella,

And begin the journey towards becoming myself;

Like every eventful journey that too had began with teary eyes,

Tears perhaps for the fear of facing the unknown,

Or perhaps they were the tears of a joyous heart,

Anticipating its rebirth and preparing for a new life.

Through all these years I have learnt and grew under your ever watchful eyes,

You have encouraged me in my every success

Reprimanded & corrected me for every wrong step I ever put,

And whenever I was lost in the darkest of alleys,

You were always there showing me the way to light.

Through all these years by your selfless care and protection,

You have helped to scalp out myself,

 Like the artisan who delicately curves out God’s idol,

From just a formless heap of mud.

You have helped me create my identity,

To have a face among the faceless millions.

No words of praise that I say today can do justice to your selfless service,

But there is one line that I want to scream today at the top of my voice,

Although I haven’t seen the mythical God,

I don’t have any regret either.

Because God for me is you my teacher.                                     

                                                                                          -Debabrata Banerjee 

MOTHER

I dedicate this poem of mine as a humble tribute to one of the two living gods I have seen every day from my child hood

MOTHER

Many made promises of staying forever with me,

But during my tough times I found only thee…

I didn’t care for you when my pastures were greener,

When my eyes saw the world through gold tinted glasses of pleasure;

Then you stood at one corner,

Wiping silently your tears, but I didn’t bother.

But when tough times came upon me,

All my fair-weather friends started to flee

I cried for a helping hand,

But they were too busy to help me stand;

When all others had fled,

You ran towards me instead.

You yourself fell in the process,

But made sure I stand up and make progress.

You protected me from rough weather,

You are none but my sweet mother…..

                       -Debabrata Banerjee