My Mother, My Manipur

This is where I was born, this is where I had my name
This is where I grew up, this is where I played my game

Then I slowly fell apart, then I slowly drifted away
Then I slowly lost in touch, then I slowly had my way

I could not hear her cry, I could not see her tears
I could not feel her worry, I could not feel her fears

A new world was calling, a new world smiled at me
A new world lay ahead, a new world where I could be

Worked hard and fast, worked with my heart and soul
Worked my way up, worked through the good and foul

Tried my best to fit in, tried my best to know I belong
Tried my best to live well, tried my best ever so long

Once a week I talked to her, once a week was no more
Once a while I spoke to her, once a while, long before

Good things traced me down, good things came my way
Good things made me forget, good things made me stay

I was being born again, I was building my home again
I was so young and restless, I was so young to feel the pain

I began to crumble down, I began to fall into pieces
I began to realize the world, I began to realize the faces

Few friends remained, few friends covered my ground
Few friends believed, few friends knew I’d come around

I was breathing once again, I was breathing so pure
I was breathing a new life, I was breathing so sure

I strived to climb up again, I strived to gain new heights
I strived to make it work, I strived to win with all my might

Happiness is an uneasy guest, happiness comes and goes
Happiness visited so briefly, happiness left me some woes

Questions were soon raised, questions were thrown about
Questions were puzzling me, questions filled me with doubts

My life was a blessing, my life should not have been at all
My life was bleeding, my life had no roots – big or small

I heard her calling again, I heard her loud and clear
I heard why I could not die, I heard why I could hear

A mother was missing her son, a mother called Manipur
A mother was crying out, a mother was asking for cure

This is where I was born, this is where I need to rest
This is where I grew up, this is where I’ll build my nest

Now I can let it go, now I can sleep well in her arms
Now she won’t cry again, now nothing can do me harm