Treading on

The dark landscape, ahead loom
warning me of the impending doom
I pause, unsure, fearing the fall
and tread lightly, in steps small.

The moon, behind rainclouds hid
casting shadows onto the mid
of the black expanse that lay before
like the sea in some alien shore

my feet on a search  for firm ground
my ears strain for the slightest sound
my eyes try to pierce through the dark
while I, on this journey, embark

I move on, oblivious to the time
through paths filled with dust and grime
till red shot through the sky's mien
like blood from a severed vein

and soon the sun rose, spilling its charm
on a new day, serene and calm
and  I behold the beauty ahead
that was hidden by the night dead

the stream, like silver, winding along
sprawling green meadows, wide and long
green trees and flowers in full bloom
raise my mind from fear and gloom

I tread on, my face in smiles
journeying through sunlit miles
drinking in the beauties blend
happy, till my journey's end

Summer Showers...again

As the unbearably hot weather continues to grip the city and scorch the people in its unrelenting infernal blaze, the evening sky brought a surprise ...threatening clouds in grey loomed high over the sky casting a gloom on everything that the sun's vengeance had set on fire..the winds let out a shudder and was accompanied by a chill instead of the familiar dusty hot air. and soon, the clouds gave way and the much awaited music,of the first water drops falling on the ground, could be heard. the ground, withered by the cruel sun drank up the rain greedily to purge itself of the pent up heat that it had gathered over the many hot days. trees who seemed to have lost their souls livened and everything changed from withered-subtle-dead to a celebration, a riot of colours. " the intoxicating smell of rain falling on earth" wafts in through the open windows and bring with it a promise of better days, of comfort and beauty after the harsh weather of yesterdays. may the rains be as dominant as the scorching summer was!!

With Nature

Come vacation and a trip is always in the air. This time though, it was a one day trip. Morning saw us starting off, along with the suns rays to paalaruvi,which is around 90 km from our place. it was my first trip to the place. the journey took us above a mountain, through the many meandering roads that cut into the surface, like a serpent. the ride through the hair pin curves are a bit unsettling, if you have had no food and i was housing butterflies in my stomach when we reached the top. on the way we stopped to drink in the lust green scenery. a chill had descended on us as we started the climb and it got more pronounced as we snaked our way to the top. there were tall mountains reaching to the sky, covered in a velvet curtain of greenery, all around and there was a constant wind blowing, one that was cool and brought in the smell of the many fragrant bushes that inhabit these mountain slopes. once at the top, the road levelled out , leaving more room to appreciate the surrounding sights.
Paalaruvi,a tumbling cascade of cool water, medicinal from its constant camaraderie with the shrubs and herbs of the mountain, has in store for the visitors, a breath taking beauty, an awe inspiring magnificence that leaves us to gape at the insignificance we hold in comparison to its enormity and beauty.the falls is strictly off limits currently but there is a small path that forks out from the main road at the entrance, which leads us to a secluded spot. we had breakfast at the opposite side of the bank, after crossing the knee deep waters,with plates in our hands.there is a slight current, but nothing huge to take you of balance.the water is very cool and the first dip sends shivers,heightened by the cool winds that are forever in motion.. all around trees stand tall, atop huge mountains, while the water flows like a shiny mirror, down the mountain. a snake was spotted, so the safety of the place cannot be vouched for. there is a swing nearby, for that film like experience.
we reluctantly left the place as we had other places to visit.kuttalam had nothing in store except bathing bodies (people were washing loads of clothes and taking elaborate baths with soaps and shampoos), so we left the place in a jiffy.next stop, thenmala...by then the chill of the morning had given way to the scorching heat of the noon and no one were upto climbing to the top of the dam except a few of us. the climb was a bit tough, given the heat but the view from the top was awesome...the water lapping on to the reservoir walls, trees half submerged...everything added to the beauty.the drive down was equally bad, with its twists and turns but it was worth the pain.

Rhyme: Spring's Views

Walking through the orchard groves
I let my mind, in silence, muse
while spring around in brilliant hues
make fruits brim with sweetened juice.

Birds, with their banter, amuse
and sweet notes, into the air effuse
while all around leaves and yews
and blushing flowers grow profuse.

dusk looms near and soon induce
a reddish tint that soon suffuse
birds give me their rushed adieus
and fly off...leaving me a lone recluse!!

The different Faces of rain

We thought that the rains had gone as dark rainy season gave way to the bright spring....but showers continue against our expectations .... tantalizing us in its cool..rain changes face every time, each rain is unique in its strength, its chill and unparallelled beauty....
A drizzle cools the air and cool winds accompanying them make the weather suitable for a slow, unhurried walk through a crowd free path....
Slightly stronger, rain drops fall down big and fat, yet the cumbersome burden of an umbrella is quite unnecessary....this is best for a brisk walk....that gives warmth and clears the head....
Still stronger, the umbrella comes into the picture and a huddled walk follows , taking care not to hit others with the umbrella, weaving a zigzag path through the crowd, with the tempting thought of a hot tea nagging deep inside...
Stronger still, rain comes in a torrential downpour, slanting sheets of water spraying, the best time to recline by an open window, sipping tea, engrossed in an exciting murder mystery by agatha christie...

and then the soothing rains go, leaving everything fresh, brighter and lively!!

RHYME: Glimpses

In memory of a train journey.

Fleeting glimpses of greenish hue,
in the misty cold of the morning haze.

thousand suns sparkle from deadened dew,
wherever my eyes could gaze.

lush green lands spring up new,
as we move in a dream like maze.

in search of prey the first birds flew,
in the sky set afire by the morning blaze.

rustling the leaves ,the cool breeze blew,
while in pastures cows happily graze.

sheets of water in sparkling blue,
lay in calm and true solace.

neither the gusty winds nor the noisy few,
nor the slight drizzle could me unfaze.

to each glimpse i bid adieu,
as the landscape and me are parting ways!

I'm off again

Maybe due to the proximity or due to the peaceful stay it affords, kanyakumari has become a retreat of sorts for my family. everytime we get three days we drive off to kanyakumari and sink in the serenity of the place.The vivekananda ashram is the best place to stay if you are looking for a quiet holiday. Covering hundreds of acres,it houses numerous tree lined walks , and if you are lucky you might chance on a peacock that has decided to show off its beautiful feathers. The last time we were there we took a superficial view of the area making sure that the next time we go there we know where to head to...... the sunrise at kanyakumari is famous but lucky as i am i coudnt glimpse it. the last time, i woke up early for the express purpose of catching the sun first and walked all the way to the sea side.....there was a slight drizzle and a breeze playing along and the place was very beautiful in the early morning glow.....the blue hue of dawn along with the overcast sky and the tune of the sea playing in my ears gave a dream like experience.......the sun decided not to turn up that day and left a dejected lot at the shore staring haplessly at the skies....silly as it seems the sun didnt rise that day...it just appeared at some place above the horizon.....but i wasnt let down ...i really loved the early morning walk and the dream like quality of the entire image etched an everlasting impression on me.....that evening we went to kanyakumari and again the thunderous clouds and grey sky showcased the sea in all its fury.....that night we had the annual day celebrations of the vivekananda school....all were invited...since there wasnt anything constructive to do my mother sis and i went ......the kids were really good and the simplicity of the programmes struck me.....there was a set of unsophisticated programmes...simple songs ,dances......but the brightly dressed kids doing them made it all the more beautiful.....there were instances when we stared dumbfounded at the stage while a tamil skit progressed......i tried translating the tamil for the first few minutes but it got faster by the minute so i gave up and just stared.....the next day we went for yet another walk and saw peacocks,deers, and heard all kinds of birds signalling their welcome from hidden retreats...... couldnt visit the library but intend to do so this time.....as we depart tomorrow yet another time there are things i want to do which i coudnt do the last time
1.visit meditation centre
2. visit the rock
3.visit the temple
4.visit the library
4.catch the sunrise....(hopefully....its raining again)
5. walk,walk,walk.
bubye!

Summer Showers

Atlast the curse has lifted.....as rain drops pelt down onto the burning ground all the pent up heat is released..... as the chill descends on me I coudnt help but smile......Things had been very gruesome for the past few days....with us toiling under the scorching sun...living off cooled lime that dries up inside us the instant we gulp it down......even at home the heat continues to frustrate......every day i meet people on the roads squinting under the sun ,cursing the heat and i join them whole heartedly in wishing that an end would come soon to this torture.....and today as the clouds gathered in the sky and the wind began to pick up pace...i ran to the terrace to catch the first drops...the purest ones...and what a relief when they did come....."the intoxicating smell of rain falling on earth" and the sight of the trees swaying in the chilly wind with an overcast sky in the backdrop shooed away the perpetual frown from my face.......and rain as always brings out the best in things ....nature sports brighter shades and rain drops stick to leaves like jewels.....This was one welcome rain and couldnt have come at a better time .....

On The Way To Heaven

i wrote this as a memoir of my trip to thirunelli sparked by the landscape which presented itself as fleeting glimpses

Safe in the abode of god
amidst the sparkling hills
tight in natures embrace
here I find utter solace

Mountains blend with rivers
leaves swish and swirl
dewdrops drip from tender leaves
like studded pearl

Endless roads stretching ahead
with trees on either sides
holding their hands above my head
weaving an emerald canopy.


The sun's rays with its magical touch
makes jewels out of water drops
rain falls to earth from heavens louds
like thousand gems from a long lost treasure.

night comes bringing a thousand stars
while the cool breeze lulls me to sleep
sweet dreams pass by my clogged head
renewing my heart with its fragrance.

The suns rays filter through the clouds
and kiss me awake from deep slumber
I wake up from the magical lands
to mourn the loss of a sweet dream!!

WHILE IT RAINS

Hot winds blow like fires of hell

shifting sands seek soothing spots

leaves droop,flowers bow in grief

creatures of nature withdraw in fright

life seems to end here,molten and swollen

silence of stillness enters in stealth

last drops of water burn in its curse

climb the stairs of spiralling winds

onto the sky where they meet their like

and huddle for fear of harsher fates

Unforgiving clouds in hues of grey

take on the sky in a thunderous whirl

set on a duel with steaming winds

break down to begin a new lease of life

Raindrops lash weaving frothy foam

onto the depths of the winding river

birds hum their tune,winds lead them on,

sky bears witness ,ground the stage,

buds bloom,lending the wind their breaths

flowers raise faces to feel the first drops

the thirsty ground drinks up the rain

while mighty clouds pour out their soul.

Creatures flock out from hidden retreats

refresh and rejoice in these summer showers

rain washes down their transpired dreams

nature revives,sporting brighter shades

earth livens,a thousand lives do sprout

While it rains,life blooms while it rains

While it rains life begins!!