This post has been published by me as a part of the Blog-a-Ton 49; the forty-ninth edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton.
There’s this long rope, knotted after each meter. It has been there since I can remember. Each knot has in it a memory, a souvenir from the past I cherish.
Look at the first knot. It has a single candle. Half the wax has gone now, its small wick now a pale brown from the white it was when it was first lit.
The fifth knot has a bangle. Not gold, not silver, but a single glass bangle, green in color. It hasn’t broken. It is small, just big enough to fit a baby girl’s tiny hand.
The thirteenth knot has a bell. A bicycle bell… it has rusted now, but the first time it was rung, it was shiny. So shiny I could see my face in it. And my sister’s too.
The fifteenth knot has a pen. A blue fountain pen… a Parker pen, the first one I was gifted. The ink inside has dried, and the nib has rusted, but it has a success in it, the first big examination cleared with distinction.
The sixteenth knot has a rose petal. It has dried, become fragile. But I can still smell the fragrance; her fragrance… the lavender perfume and the oil in her hair. If I close my eyes, I still see her smile as I give her the rose.
The twentieth knot has nothing. But it is wet with my tears. The memory is of loss. One that was hard to take. One that was, is hard to express.
The twenty-first knot has a tag. It bears my name. Leo. The first time I wrote under that name. The first time I had an escape route. The first time I realized “I live in words.”
The twenty-third knot has a key and a piece of paper. Not a key to a lock, but a key from a keyboard. The lettering has worn out, but I know it’s the right control key. The first time I was in control of my life. My first job, and with it came the first pay-slip. I made new friends, friends I still have around me.
Like that, there are twenty seven knots. But the rope is long. Many more knots left to be knotted, many more souvenirs to be collected and many more memories yet to be made.
Will I remember what the first knot meant when the next knot is knotted? I know not.
But I will feel each knot, smile as the memory seeps in through my fingers and climbs to my heart.
With each new knot, I know I have something to cherish… a moment to remember, from the trip down memory lane.
The fellow Blog-a-Tonics who took part in this Blog-a-Ton and links to their respective posts can be checked here. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton. Participation Count: 29
(5th Oct 2014)
Surreal post Leo. 🙂
The line “Many more knots to be knotted, many more souveniers to be collected ad many more memories to be made” strikes a chord.
Your posts are a joy to read.
Thanks for the appreciation, Harshal 🙂 Glad you liked the post!
All the best for Blog-a-Ton! ^_^

(Vinay Leo R. recently posted… A Knot in Time …)
Our life is made up of memories na. They are like the fuel that keep us going and make us strong.
(Jaibala Rao recently posted… Her Memories…..)
Very true, Jb. Life is indeed made of memories, and we make them as we go. 🙂 Sometimes they make us strong, and sometimes weak too. Depends on the memory, I feel. O:-)
(Vinay Leo R. recently posted… A Knot in Time …)
I can sum up your post in just one word – awesome! You really live in words…that was a wonderful trip down your memory lane. Ah! Memories are magical…:)
(Deeps recently posted… Top Ten Books that I love)
I do like to live in words, Deeps. 🙂 It is a wonderful escape sometimes.
Glad you liked the trip down memory lane. Thank you. 🙂 Yes, some memories are absolutely magical.
(Vinay Leo R. recently posted… Moving on…)
Let there be many more knots!!
(aativas recently posted… 216. Is it my name?)
Amen, Aativas 🙂
(Vinay Leo R. recently posted… Moving on…)
Touched by your innocence reflecting through piece of writing. Very Beautiful!
Thanks, Sims 🙂
(Vinay Leo R. recently posted… Moving on…)
Was the post magical or beautiful… I don’t know. But your words do live within you. And in each of them I see a reflection. A poet’s reflection. You know how I don’t comment in blogs cause I just don’t know what to say other than the *adjectives*…. But this one was different. And I couldn’t help but blurt out.
Yeah. I know how wordless you tend to become, Parukutty. But do blurt out more 🙂
You really say some wonderful things when you do. Glad you found it beautiful or magical or both, and that you saw the reflections too. 😀
I think you’d have understood the fifth knot easily too, alle? 😉
(Vinay Leo R. recently posted… Perfection)
The fifth and the thirteenth knot are what made me love this post!! And I know you understand that perfectly well.
Yes, I know, Paaru O:-)
(Vinay Leo R. recently posted… Unnoticed)
I don’t know where to start or what to say but this post was really beautiful as a matter of fact I could relate a few of the knots of yours to my own…Keep writing and keep cherishing your life!! CHEERS!!
(Adarsh Ravi recently posted… In Loving Memory Of…)
Thanks, Adarsh 🙂 Glad you liked the post and could relate. Will definitely keep writing. ATB for BAT. 🙂
(Vinay Leo R. recently posted… Perfection)
Nice way to reveal your age 🙂 I liked it. I wish you many more fulfilling knots
Haha 😀 Well, most of my readers know my age anyways, not a big secret, Pavil 🙂 Thanks!
(Vinay Leo R. recently posted… Perfection)
emotional , some knots reminded me of my memories, its so nostalgic for me
(Cifar recently posted… Torn Pages)
Thank you, Cifar 🙂
(Vinay Leo R. recently posted… In silence…)
hah…that’s an interesting way to keep a diary…over a period of years, it would be rather interesting and overwhelming to see the articles attached to the past. Nice 🙂 All the best for BATOM!!
(Megha recently posted… Poetry of Sorrow)
Yes, Megha 🙂 I suppose it is somewhat like a diary. The memories live stronger in the souvenirs 😀 Glad you liked the post. All the best for BAT to you too.
(Vinay Leo R. recently posted… Moon madness …)
Touching words, Leo… pain of loss… but also strength and hope…
Gives a special meaning to “I write for the same reason I breathe, because if I didn’t I would die”
(Nimi (@13nimi) recently posted… My memories with you…)
🙂 How nicely put, Nimi. And so true too. Glad you liked the words, and my entry. Thank you.
(Vinay Leo R. recently posted… Moon madness …)
Vinay, each knot had a journey unfolded within. Good way to keep memories in knots 🙂
(Meenal Sonal recently posted… Small but Great Reminder)
Yes, in the long rope of life, it’s always nice to keep some moments knotted. 🙂 Thank you, Meenal. Glad you liked the post.
(Vinay Leo R. recently posted… Oh! These obsessions!)
The simplest of the the thoughts put in such a innovative way.
Each line is magic…
Par excellence.
(Anirudh Shetty recently posted… Not Girlfriend! She is my Friend who turns out to be a Girl.)
Thank you, Anirudh 🙂 Glad you liked it and found it magical.
(Vinay Leo R. recently posted… Oh! These obsessions!)