The Green Leaf Haven
1) Through dense green mango groves the pathway lies
A cool resort for us, a feast for our eyes;
The flowing stream beside, an added charm
To this hermitage-like place so calm!
Green fields and gardens spread around
A meet haven for pilgrims without any sound
Our feet have felt the touch of grass-green earth
Soft rustling breeze enhanced our mirth.
2) The wafting breeze from dense banana groves
A festive look with clusters of ripe yellow glows;
With garden flowers sprung in painted earthen pots
With hovering butter-flies with rain-bow spots;
Serene surroundings so profusely green
Refreshed our minds-- no noisy disturbing scene!
Fine distant stretch of hills with sparkling blue
Streams of flowing waters greeted our view!
3) Beside the cobbled walk a row of ethnic stalls
Displaying hand-made figures and country dolls
Brass idols shaped with fine-cut features
Family art learnt without any teachers ;
The foreign tourists flocked at once with craze
To buy those artifacts with admiring gaze;
Some clicked photos to capture their charm
Conventional art molded in metallic form.
4) The broad-spread leaves of banana green
On wooden square blocks neatly arranged seen
As pilgrims washed their limbs and quietly sat
Feeling refreshed on traditional mats;
Tasty dishes in customary manner made
Whetted their appetites in cooler shade;
Not too many dishes of exotic taste
But simple victuals served in green leaf-plates.
5) Amidst this green haven with devotional feel
The tourists sat and enjoyed their meal
Lush greenery suffused their bosoms full
Absorbing peace from rippling waters cool;
A sense of purity they felt around
Long-forgotten blessings of God they found
A sense of gratitude gushed from their swelling hearts
They thanked Great Lord with deep-felt thoughts.
6) What expensive cafes provide such satiety
With supreme soulful tranquility!
A rare find for us this humble spot so plain
Bereft of showy trappings hollow and vain
So much edifying to our minds and hearts
Our strain and worries quite we forgot;
Endowed with new vision and rapturous mind
We went out of Green Haven with feelings kind.
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Note: When we went to see some historic places and temples, we came across a very
calm residence tucked far away in the remote corner of an orchard with mango
and banana groves. To our surprise it was a restaurant with all required amenities.
Even many foreign tourists came there. They clicked photos and were much fasci-
nated bthe lush greenery and calm surroundings of that scenic spot.There food was
served in banana leaves in traditional style. The food was very simple yet very ape-
tising so that not only our physical hunger but also our mind and heart were satia-
ted by the hermitage- like serene surroundings. I voiced my feelings just to give you
a feel of how even humble places without any luxurious display we find true satis-
faction and mental peace.
24th December,2012 SOMA GUTALA
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