Tombstones

Rows and rows of tombstones lie strewn with flowers

Laid down by the overnight gusty showers

In a little large secluded graveyard 

To find one such next to the din is indeed hard! 

  

The old and mighty trees form a canopy of green

To keep the resting souls under, calm and serene.

The cuckoos are joyfully singing their numbers

Inviting to their company other members.

The squirrels are hunting for their treasure

Jumping from one branch to another enjoying their leisure.

I presume the souls underground are a lot pleased 

To witness the life above while theirs is ceased

Unusual, but some little kids play their game

Between the rows of stones that look the same. 

Perhaps, this once remote piece of land looked ideal

For those who wanted to lie down in peace real! 

This often deserted ground suddenly comes alive 

With mortals who come on a thanksgiving drive.

They shower rose petals on these stones and say prayers

The yard looks replete with flower layers.

I reckon those who are sleeping peacefully beneath

Reminisce their past and whisper under their teeth

Words that conjure up the glories of their heyday

That sweeten their souls day after day all the way!

Wordsmith

2 April 25

Forks of Mint

I didn’t have any hint

That the naked forks of mint

I had planted once with love

Are blessed with leaves now!


The tender leaves of green

Look so fresh and serene

That I dare not leave the scene

Lest they should never be seen.


Their rich aroma permeates the still air,

Breathing which, with so much care

My spirits are revived to set my way

Ahead for a blissful and sprightly day!


A few minutes spent to care a plant

Could reward you the peace you want!

***

3 Feb 2025

Summer means...

Summer means a lot to everyone, everywhere;

The garden city prepares in every way

To declare the dawn of a new season,

That gives it, to celebrate a great reason.


The trees are in full bloom

Coming away from  winter's gloom

The sky is blue as far as you see

Over the concrete structures' pedigree.


The streets are flooded with many a fruit;

Melons, guavas and oranges en route

To beat the heat of the sultry day

Which continues to soar all the way.


There are festivities of a new beginning

To mark nature's transition, making

It apparent in every form of existence,

That we witness in exuberance.


Our lovely city enjoys a beautiful weather

Summer is warm and hot together

But, when it gets too hot and boiling

The clouds gather above to keep it cooling.


As the schools close their doors

The kids head to the greens and the shores

They eagerly flee to their granny's home

Where all day they can roam.


The days are long to go along

Every day has in it among

Many things, freedom, fun and peace

That leave us to remain at ease.


Until the season reaches its peak

It's fun and frolic week after week.

Once it loses its steam to the wet rains,

The spirit sobers; to think, it strains.

***

The Man and the Bull

Beats of echoing rhythm from the drum

Hung around a man in the street come

Driving the little children out in delight

To see the majestic bull in tender daylight!


The bull bedecked beautifully with beads

Of red, blue, yellow and orange, heeds

The spirited piper from door to door

While he collects alms more and more.


The tiny tots behind the beast

Are thrilled as if it is a real treat

To their curious eyes that hardly see

In real, a grand spectacle like this for free!


Very soon the tinkling bells that they hear,

And the sight of the man with the bull will disappear!

***

SBT - 19-01-24

Duty, Dignity and Divinity

Dressed smart and trendy, he looks neat!
Standing atop a mound of garbage
Collected early morning from every street,
Nonchalant of the dirt and stench in his carriage.

Blows his whistle breathlessly without a stop
Until streams of women, men and kids emerge
With the bins brimming with waste on top.
He checks before dumping it on the edge.

Unmindful of the dirt smitten shoes
He continues his job relentlessly until
Everyone has left with their empty bins of refuse
Then starts his rickety auto to do the next fill.

Acceptance of duty in its true dignity
Serves best to please the sacred heart of divinity!

27 Jan 2025

***

Catch the Falling Leaves!

                                    

I can now see the blue sky

Through the naked branches high

While the metro train scurries past

Upon the cold tracks above the trees with a blast.

The roads lie camouflaged under 

The thin blanket of brown wonder!

Leaves, that have descended on the ground; 

A phenomenon seen every year this  time  around!

The morning traffic looks light and dull.

As the wind blows without any lull

The leaves continue to fall from the trees tall

While I wait to go across to the tea stall.

I’m blessed to be standing under the cover 

Of high grown trees that steadily shower 

The ripe leaves at this time of the year

On this stretch of the road from here.

This city grove of several decades is a gift

From the magnanimous souls of green amidst 

The mortals that had no due care

For nature except their material share.

Catch this splendour from a corner 

If you happen to be an admirer 

Of simple beauties that give great joy

Even where drudgeries of life seem to annoy.

A leaf collector appears pushing her cart

To gather the fallen leaves in this part,

For they cannot decay where they’ve grown.

But, these huge trunks stand all alone.

Those that once caught sunrays first

Are now ready to be one with the dust.

They travel to their last destination

To be part of the regeneration.

The trees around look bare and dry

Basking under the sun up in the sky

While the cold winds blow one last time

Without any vigour of their prime.

The road is now free to cross over

And I advance to walk in a quiver.

But, this spectacle is etched so strong

That it'll remain in my heart all along.

29-02-24

Sweet Beauties!

 

When I see a squirrel skip and hop

From one branch to another to the tree top, 

It evokes in me my beautiful past

Which seems to have gone by very fast.

The intermittent, sharp notes and the quick starts

That made me follow these cute little hearts

Would mesmerize me every time I listened

While they squeaked, my eyes glistened.

 I know their favourite  hopping spots 

In the sunshine, feeding on lots

Of nuts rich with sweet kernel.

It was indeed a sight of marvel!

These sweet beauties of simplicity

Are a treat to see in every city!

SBT - 24-01-24