Lost.

For want of wealth,
my time is lost.
For want of time,
my hope is lost.
For want of hope,
my future is lost.
For want of future,
my present is lost.
For want of present,
my dream is lost.
For want of dream,
my sleep is lost.
For want of sleep,
my night is lost.
For want of night,
my day is lost.
For want of day,
I am lost.

– Copyright 2002 Bhuwan Thapaliya

Neil Diamond in his song “I am, I said” has this to say about his split longings.

“I’m New York City born and raised
But nowadays, I’m lost between two shores
L.A.’s fine, but it ain’t home
New York’s home, but it ain’t mine no more.”

This part of the song has always touched a cord in me as I can relate to exactly the same emotion as Neil expresses there.

In India, when someone new is introduced to one, the first question in getting to know each other is “Where are you from?”

In my case, this is one of the most difficult questions to answer as, I am from many places. I was born in Bombay as it was then known, did some of my growing up in Madras as it was then known, part in Hyderabad, back for some more in Madras, and then took off like a rocket all over India. I schooled in Madras and Hyderabad, under-graduate studies in Madhya Pradesh, Graduated from Bihar and Post graduate work in Gujarat. I have worked in Hyderabad, Madras, Bombay and many other parts of India before finally settling down at what was then known as Poona.

When I am asked that famous question, I say that I am from Pune, as it is now known but that never satisfies the questioner. What he wants to know is the village from which my forefathers came, where it is located, what connections I still have there etc, and I am totally lost for answers as that place is only a memory for even my father. There have been times when I have seriously considered adding the Surname Punekar to my name so that people will know that I am from Pune. One of these days, I may just do that too. At least for my son Ranjan, it will make life easier.

I wish that I was my brother Barath, who lives in the UK. When asked the same question, he simply has to say that he is from India. He is not lost.

I hope that you enjoyed reading another post of the Friday Loose Bloggers’ Consortium when eleven of us post on the same topic chosen by one of us. Today’s topic has been chosen by Grannymar.

Please do visit Ashok, Conrad, Grannymar, Magpie11, Maria, Gaelikaa, Helen, Judy, Anu and Ginger to see ten other views on the same topic. Some of these bloggers may be preoccupied with vacations, examinations, family problems and/or romance, so be a little indulgent in case they do not post or post late.