Many years ago in Switzerland

I was a boy of six going on to seven

Growing up, having a blast in scenic land

Nothing less than heaven

Loved roaming around the hillock

Dipping my hands in freezing stream

Chasing the butterflies as they flock

On the Edelweiss with a nice gleam

A boy my age I met one fine morning

Always dressed in an attire white 

Had different looks and was disappearing

Round the corner punctually at twilight

He was a ghost he said

Came from across the valley yonder

Ghost or no ghost he looked well-fed 

Always so bright and fresh, I ponder

He liked my game and me too I guess

I liked him also as we danced with banter

In our different activities we made progress

I liked his smile, he was an enchanter

Chased each other in the woods no worry

Climbed trees – pine, spruce and beech

At times chased squirrels in a hurry

Shows how wide was our outreach

One day I told mom my friend was a ghost

She laughed, clutched her midriff tight

Then she said to me in a jovial note

‘Boy, call your ghost for tea, all right?

After we savor our pastime in the p01woods

Next day I asked ghost to follow me

To the house we went, removed our hoods

Mom says ‘Time to fill up your belly’

At the table we sat filled with joy

Mom served us toblerone, tea and bread

Finally mom said ‘What’s your name, boy?’ 

‘I am A. Ghosh from India’ he said

—-A Poem by Rashid Hamza