THE NIGHT SKY

                                                 
            The day goes gliding down,   
             On the western  horizon, 

            Carrying  its glorious lamp, 

             And all its warm sunshine. 

           The Earth looks down wearied,
           With the onset of dark shadows,

            And the world retires to bed,

            Putting stop to day's labour. 

      
   

              But those who keep awake, 
             Shall watch a sublime tableau,
             Of celestial bodies above,
              In the star-spangled stage. 

               Where those tiny diamonds, - 
               Scattered from end to end 
              Play hide-and-seek all night, 
              Twinkling in that vast playground.

               Ever watched in the night sky - 
              That unique pageant of beauty?
               Ever waited for a shooting star -                 
               For the grant of a wish, secretly?       

                 As often as time permits,
                I gaze at this endless treasure,
                Feeling blissful and mesmerized,
               Spell-bound by a divine glamour!

THE HILL COTTAGE

                 Under the vast canopy of the  sky,
                 Rests the little cottage peacefully,

                With snowy peaks as guardians,
                And wildflowers, family members.

                Far from the crowd of cities
               Their deafening din and noise 
               Far from the annoying traffic,
                 Of ever- on- rush vehicles.   

                Far from the  narrow mindset,

                Of  religious fanatics,

                Far from ill-will and hatred,
                Spread with selfish motives. 
                

              Far from the fear of marauders,
              Far from unknown maladies,
              Far from the delusive influence,
              Of self-proclaimed deities.

             The serene spot seems to call,
             Every one of us to be there, 
             So, come and feel refreshed,
             Rejuvenating in the lap of Nature!

PHOTO CREDIT
      Beautiful Uttarakhand

BELLS OF FAITH

                       

Behold the bells hanging,

   In the old temple's premises, 

                                 High above the tall pine trees,
                                  High above the snowy peaks.

                                Do they really occupy a space,
                                Among  the clouds atop the hills,
                                Or is it just an optical illusion,
                                 Stretched up to the horizon? 

                                Do they symbolise the faith,

                                Maintained by the local people,   
                                In the  presence of a benign deity,
                                Safeguarding the entire region?

                               The faith that never dwindles,
                               But sustains the believer's strength,
                               To go through life's ordeals, 
                               With trust in the ultimate justice.

                               And listen to the bells chiming,
                               As the wind passes by them, 
                               Don't they sound singing  humbly
                              The praise of the supreme power?        



Photo credit - Sonam Bhandari
 euttaranchal. com

MOUNTAIN STREAM

       Hey, awesome mountain stream,

      Dashing out on a playful spree,
      Would you allow me to accompany you
      All the way to the great grand sea?

   

     Mesmerised by your magical moves   , 

        My heart too yearns to join you 
     Get mingled with your milky water,

      Embark upon a long adventure.

        

      How often you receive  cordially,

      The smallest rivulet on the way, 

      Making it a part of yourself

      And flow on to meet a big river.   

   


           And rise from there as clouds 
           Descending to the earth as showers,   
           Filling its lakes and rivers and oceans,
           And maintain the cycle of water.   

           Pray, let me be merged with you, 

           And be part of the eternal process
          Nature seldom fails to maintain,

          To ensure the existence of all life.    
        
         
  

        

        

Picture credit --

 Pradeep Dhyani
eUttaranchal.com

THE ROADSIDE TREE

         Passing by a deserted road  one day,

         My eyes caught sight of a forlorn tree,

         All  dried up sans a single green leaf,

          A picture of deep dismay and grief.

           Lost in the sweet memories of  past, 

          Shedding tears over the present misery,

           Silent but saying volumes sans voice, 

           Pulling all eyes towards its plight. 

              I found myself stopping near it,, 

              Eager to share its untold woes, 

             Asked why it was so despondent, 

            And if I could be of some real help. 

             After a deep sigh, the tree thus began,

             Pouring out  slowly its deep-set gloom, 

           '' Time was when I was strong and  rich,

            Covered with foliage, flowers and fruits, 

               Attracting towards myself everyone,

               Animals and birds and humans,

               I offered shelter to hundreds of birds,

               To nestle and be secure in my folds,  

                Children played all day under me,

                leaving only when darkness  prevailed,

                Tired wayfarers stopped here to rest,

                I offered comfort to everyone in need.

                And  today I stand  here all ignored, 

                Like a beggar sitting by the  road, 

               Whom no one ever pays attention  

               Say, how to feel in this condition? ''

              Trying to console the heart-broken tree, 

              I pointed to the horizon with assurance,

            '' Look! There comes the caravan of Spring,

              Loaded with cheer and happy tidings, 

                 That new leaves are to appear soon,

                 Flowers and fruits will follow in time,

                 Wayfarers too will stop as before,

                 And birds as ever will come to nestle. 

                 Much you suffered but now feel sure,

                 Good days will again be here

                Nature never fails to keep its schedule,

                And Spring will always follow Winter ''

Inspiration---

An oil painting  by Mr Ramesh Chhetri