Is it nostalgia that I feel?

 As I sit waiting for her 

The fireflies keep passing by

The frogs sing away in a great discussion 

The crickets tease them through their song

And the safe night feels warm

The moon has settled into a bright slumber behind the clouds

The stars are great company

As Ammi, Nani, and I sit in longing for her

And as everything else settles into the backgrounds of my mind

It begins to think of beautiful memories 

Is it nostalgia that I feel?

Memories of tough and homely emotions 

Of tiny steps

And of wonderful fun

Of the swing rides

And of the great falls

Of the new walks with Gopi 

And of the best and most awkward failures

Of fierce fights

And calming hugs 

Of the merry trips to town

And of the extremes of socialisation 

Of chasing away the monkeys 

And of the war-like victories

Of getting toasted in the sun

And of keeping hens away from freshly poured concrete

Of planting numerous trees

And of being planted deep into love and strength 

Of competing over avakaya

And of falling asleep like sloths 

Of the observant power cut episodes

And of the blissful star gazing nights

Of fighting over mangoes

And of stealing from Nani Ammi's orchard

Of the detailed stories heard

And of the many stories spun together 

Of learning and nurturing sisterhood

And of becoming buddies in love, joy, mischief and grief!

And here, 

I shall let sleep ease my waiting...