Recollections ...

           I shall, forever, remain grateful to my father who introduced me to the wonderful world of poetry erarly in life. I happened to see a notebook of his poems that he had composed when he was in  High School during pre-independence times. All those poems were replete with patriotic fervour, sounding the cry of every average Indian for freedom from foreign rule. It was by reading them that I felt an intense love both for the motherland and poetry. 

         Love for nature was developed by the environment of the small hill town where I spent my childhood. A place, where waking up to the view of a magnificent Himalayan range bathed in the golden light of the rising sun, was an everyday bliss. I also witnessed beautiful but not so pleasant Winters followed by the most enjoyable Spring and Summer. Dense pine woods close by, and multiple streams appearing every here and there during the rainy season were objects of pleasure and wonderment simultaneously. I cannot say when I fell in love with nature,  but, it is true that this childhood fascination kept growing steadily with time and finally merged with another equally strong passion for poetry, And these poems are but the outcome of that deep-set combined impression. Though composed much later in life, they can be defined as '' emotions recollected in tranquillity '' in the words of William Wordsworth.   

               I leave this small collection to the lovers of nature poetry, with a hidden wish to hear from someone that I have not wasted time in creating it.

Indu Nautiyal

Dehradun,

Uttarakhand

February, 2021

PREFACE

                                                                                                                                                   

    Dear Readers,

   'Blooming Twigs' is a tribute to nature with a handful of poems based on my impressions of its varied aspects.   Nature to me is not a mute, insensate thing, but a living entity, endowed with unique attributes of beauty and wisdom. Hence, worthy of reverence and adoration. 

 Sharing my love of nature with you is the purpose of this collection, though only through a small number of poems. However, I am sure, going through them will make you feel like taking a pleasant trip to the wondrous world of nature.

                  Besides, you will also experience the cyclic round of seasons, the deadly winter chill being followed by the rejuvenating Spring; and the blazing summer, ending in cool showers of the rainy season.

                From a larger perspective, you will see the endless sky, adorned with the celestial lights of the sun, the moon, and stars in multitudes, sending their positive vibes to the earth, which nature disburses among us all, without discrimination.

                  It goes without saying, that nature is an indispensable part of our existence right from the cradle to the grave. Her love, support, guidance and inspiration help us survive and flourish in life. we owe her immense gratitude and these verses are only a humble expression of that feeling.

   While submitting these poems to be shared with you, I am tempted to quote a poem by Emily Dickinson, that might sound relevant here, at least in some respects.

                                 This is my letter to the world

                                   That never wrote to me, --

                                The simple news that Nature told 

                                     With tender majesty.

                                        Her message is committed,

                                        To hands I can not see,

                                   For love of her, sweet countrymen,

                                         Judge tenderly of me! 

                               

             

             Indu Nautiyal

              February 16, 2021