Gulmohar Trees

Come summer and the world suddenly seems drenched in colour. I love the gulmohar trees in particular, for their vivid colours and pretty foliage. The intense hues and cool shade make summer a delight to savour!

Gilt canopies studded with shimmering rubies
Set amidst dainty emeralds
Majestic as summer heralds
Swaying in reluctant deference to the breeze
They oft beckon many a weary traveller
To spend a few moments of bliss
Under their protective aegis
Crimson carpets lulling them to restive slumber

© Copyright 2008 Madhulika. All rights reserved.

A day in summer

His red banner brushes the stars away
Sharp spears of yellow pierce through the night sky
With pride, the sun announces a new day

As sleep ebbs away, bright hues sting the eye
Birds hold council in deafening clamour
Perhaps exchanging notes before they fly

Cuckoos croon, parrots prattle and holler
While mynahs titter in good-natured jest
And rambunctious crows squawk without manner

Every being seems on a singular quest
Scurrying through day’s work in a frenzy
Before the golden orb attains its crest

As a white-hot sky spits fire and fury
Stifling all activity in its wake
The heat soars with ruthless ferocity

The earth itself starts to simmer and bake
Morbid, steamy winds bring little relief
Wreaking thirst that water can hardly slake

A weary silence looms, as though of grief
And yet the bountiful flowers smile bright,
Amidst lush foliage, like a motif

At last, the sun descends, yet full of spite
He blazes and fumes even in retreat
His banner sets the horizon alight

Life starts to billow, humble in defeat
Spurred by the gentle evening breeze, it grows
Into a flurry, enthused and upbeat

Birds sing of their travels, of highs and lows
Trees rustle softly, as if to whisper
About day’s travesty and night’s repose

It is the crickets’ mellifluous banter,
The gentle moon and night’s star-spangled grey
That immerses all in restful slumber

© Copyright 2008 Madhulika. All rights reserved.

The journey

It was a hot Friday afternoon
I set forth on an unknown journey
Knowing not what I ran away from
Or what my destination would be

Life was a bit too complicated
It held but little pleasure for me
Peace had deserted me long ago
Leaving me alone and unhappy

I had a career to boast of
A plush home and loving family
Yet grief found new ways into my heart
Filling it with restless self-pity

As I drove through parched, arid landscape
The sun blazing with ferocity
The winds mourning an unknown sorrow
Seemed to reflect my own anxiety

Something beckoned me to stop awhile
As I came by an ancient birch tree
For there, in the midst of wilderness
All alone, stood a bantam shanty

Two children played hopscotch in the yard
Laughing with unbridled gaiety
While their mother sat at the doorstep
Watching them, smiling ever so slightly

She was mending a frayed little frock
Her gnarled hands must have once been dainty
Her sallow face was pale and tired
And yet she seemed so very happy!

Her weathered face told tales of hardship
But her eyes bespoke maturity
A faded dress covered her gaunt form
And yet she seemed so very happy!

Each day must present a new challenge to her
Whilst her nights would be fraught with worry
How on earth did she make two ends meet?
And yet she seemed so very happy!

I watched her fingers dart to and fro
Suddenly she looked up to see me
In her face, puzzled, and yet, smiling
I finally found tranquillity

The sun set into the distant hills
The gentle breeze hummed a melody
For the first time in years, I found joy
As calm night subdued day’s vanity

I had missed countless little delights
In my quest for great felicity
I resolved to savour each moment
And smiled at the approaching city

© Copyright 2008 Madhulika. All rights reserved.