Wednesday, December 26, 2012

The Green Leaf Haven

 


                                                               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.
                     
                                                        **********************

             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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