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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Lines written on the Half Moon Bay

Halfmoon Bay Shore

   Halfmoon Bay is located near the coastal city of the same name at a distance of twenty-five miles south of San Francisco. Previously this bay was known as San Benito. One can reach this place along the State Route No.1(the Cabrillo Highway). This bay is well-known as a habitation for a variety of birds,marine creatures,plants and wild brushwood. All along the way one can experience the scenic beauty with pacific beaches on one side and the rocky terrain of hills dotted with trees and bushes on the other side..One can also enjoy the colourful spectacle of nurseries, orchards, strawberry farms and vine yards with spacious lawns where horses are bred and trained.

                                                 ===       ====    ====

                               1)         The brown grey hills with clustering trees

                                            With wild brushwood and fluffy reeds

                                            With mountain goats,deer and elks bluish grey

                                            All along the way to the beauteous bay.

                              2)           As squirrels nibble nuts with twinkling eyes
                                            As nimble hares rush out leaping surprise
                                            The long-tailed weasels burrow underground
                                            A dynamic display of life in forests found.

                              3)          A colorful flock of birds in sight
                                           The blue heron and pelicans bright
                                           The black ravens and mighty kites
                                            Eagerly waiting to grab their bite.

                              4)          A fabulous treasure of floating hues
                                           This bluish deep hides from our view
                                           The silver salmon,mackerel and pink shrimps swim
                                           In darker depths dolphins and grey whales grim.

                             5)          The bluish peaks of Santa Cruz appear
                                          Bordering the lapping waves so clear
                                          Fringed with red wood and lofty pine
                                          A secure shelter for creatures marine.

                            6)          So many pretty potted plants are seen
                                         Fine nurseries with enchanting green
                                         Passion-flowers with lilies white 
                                         With exotic hibiscus and orchids bright.
                   
                            7)         Full-blown roses in various shades
                                        Blue Iris and violets--a fashion parade!
                                        Thick-stemmed Cactus and ivy green
                                        A colorful fragrant spectrum seen. 

                            8)        The farms with various crops full-grown
                                        In autumnal brown  not yet mown
                                        Fields rich with berries,carrots and beet
                                        With kiwis,blue grapes and apples sweet.

                            9)        The Christmas Trees bedecked with co loured bells 
                                        Fine orchids and tulips cast a magic spell
                                        Red juicy pumpkins with swelling glow
                                        A feast indeed --Nature's captivating show!

                         10)         The leafy growth spreading far and wide
                                       On the marshy ground before the rising tide
                                       Bright hollyhocks and iris blue
                                       Amidst the green-a charming view!
                      
                        11)        As parents sit on the wooden log-seats
                                     To share with children cakes and sweets
                                     Beside the bed of dark green weeds
                                     Dotted with blooms like tiny beads.

                        12)       As children play with swinging ocean near
                                    Elders bounce back to their yesteryear
                                    Standing knee-deep in ripples that fold
                                    A creeping thrill in icy waters cold.
 
                        13)      Some bold youth seen surfing through seas        
                                   Tossing like leaves in stormy breeze
                                   Thrown off like shells onto the shore.
                                   By playful laughing waves that roar.

                        14)     Warming their bodies in golden light
                                  Some lie on soft bed before the swelling tide
                                  Some lads enjoy their horseback ride
                                  While others leapt and played by the ocean side.

                       15)     The splashing spray with dynamic swing
                                 With rhythmic motion the ocean swings
                                 A moving wonder majestic and free

                                My bosom springs with vibrant glee.

                      16)     The Half Moon Bay glistens in silver light

                                Of the rising moon--a thrilling sight!

                                The silky waves with bubbling glee

                                To swing and sing a dreamy lullaby!

                      17)    The jagged cliffs and distant dense woods

                               In cool fresh air the ocean broods

                               As evening darkens silent and strange

                               In weird gloom around the mountain range.

                             ==    ==   ==   ==
                                                                                                SOMA GUTALA
         22nd October, 2012       

                    

The Visions of Childhood

                                                         The Visions of Childhood

                      1)           He saw the luminous faces of fairy girls
                                    Floating through clouds of mother-of-pearl
                                    Over the starry boughs like glow-worms bright
                                    Scattering colorful showers- a heavenly sight;
                                    Absorbed in his musings like a fish under the deep
                                    A blissful state unlike our restless sleep;
                                    A pristine sense of purity nearer to heaven
                                    The child enjoys in worlds beyond our ken.

                      2)           Gargantuan monsters raging wild
                                    Quick-jerked his sleep and loudly cried
                                    With blood-shot bulging eyes and flaming hair
                                    Pouncing like snarling beasts as if to tear
                                    With sharp-curved fangs and projecting jaws
                                    With dreadful threatening dagger-like claws;
                                    A tangled maze of nightmares made him scream.
                                    Impact of distant past moulded in dreams?

                     3)            The fluttering wings with spotted colors agile
                                    Making tossing blossoms respond with fragrant smile;
                                    Swinging on branches monkeys display
                                    Cute acrobatic skills in playful way;
                                    Striped squirrels munching nuts and seeds
                                    With shining sable eyes like crystal beads:
                                    The throb of life he feels in soft cool green
                                    Pure sensations of innocence serene.

                    4)             Riding with joy upon his rocking steed
                                    His mind entered new realms with speed
                                    Unaware of distance he had covered
                                    New lands unseen his mind discovered
                                    The rolling wheel and leaping paper kite
                                    The whirling top and marbles-a merry sight!
                                    The leaping puppets and merry-go-round

                    5)             A horde of pleasures in everything he found.
                                    The steaming engine spouting clouds of smoke          
                                    Moving pistons and wheels with rhythmic stroke
                                    A running marvel on the gleaming steel
                                    A vibrant gush of speeding mirth to feel
                                    He wished to drive that gigantic wonder
                                    Carrying so many with roaring thunder
                                    Passing through different lands and bridges along
                                    Waving to people with shrill whistling song.

                   6)              The thrilling flight of whizzing bird in skies            :
                                    With broad spread wings and majestic rise
                                    From earth to sky with propelling speed
                                    Man's miraculous invention indeed
                                    Gliding through space with uninterrupted flow 
                                    Giving a painted picture of the earth below;
                                    On fancy's wings he wishes upward to ride
                                    Piloting the magic machine with pride.

                   7)              Deeply engrossed in worldly pretty charms
                                    He faintly remembered the celestial forms
                                    Dim images in slumber he revived
                                    Bygone events remote no more survived
                                    In childhood games and pleasures his senses glued
                                    Nature's treasures abundant his joys renewed
                                    Unaware of deeper complexities within
                                    Untouched by snares and deeper shades of sin.

                  8)               His selfless effulgence he felt undimmed by worry
                                    Retained those blissful moments of spotless glory
                                    Bonds of egoistic self though narrowed down
                                    Seeds of divinity one can't disown;
                                    His soul shines still though mild like sunny light
                                    Beaming through mist momentary flashes bright;
                                    Truth and innocence his simple nature reveals
                                    The heavenly visions of childhood still he feels.

                                                     ===   ====   ====
                                                                                                            SOMA GUTALA
                                                                                                            1st October, 2012

                             
                         
                          

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A Rhapsody on Street Dogs

                             

                                                     A Rhapsody on Street Dogs

                                 1)   These weird unclaimed creatures --none calls them own
                                        They roam along the streets in the town
                                        No showy flourish of bands around their throats
                                        These goalless wanderers-- remote
                                        Far from homely pleasures move idle and vain
                                        Unnoticed strangers treated with disdain.

                               2)   Though they strive to sincerely share
                                      Responding with loud barks, none listens to care
                                      With spurning looks they shoo them off
                                      As useless nuisance they laugh to scoff
                                      No welcome notes for you rejected by all
                                      Debarred by status-- impregnable wall!

                               3)  They run with busy tread to show their zeal
                                     As people celebrate with sumptuous meals--
                                     With callous blows and unceremonious kicks
                                     Driven away they stand apart  and lick
                                     The morsels thrown by the luxurious lot
                                     No feeling for these poor creatures with hunger fraught !

                            4)    Self-styled sentinels of the street! you guard
                                    Us day and night though we disown and discard;
                                    Ignoring your selfless services as noisy nuisance
                                    Spoiling our sleep with restless disturbance;
                                    You do your duty with loud ringing barks
                                    At every knave and stranger in the dark.

                         5)     Some lucky creatures born of noble breed
                                  Well-known for figure,grace and speed
                                  Honored with collars pride themselves too great
                                  Avoid the stray brethren with snarling hate;
                                  Showpieces of status-- and just for bread
                                  Obey their masters' commands with slavish tread.

                      6)      With friendly fawning looks you beg for food
                                As people drive them off with curses rude
                                Still wagging your tails at courteous distance you stand
                                Hoping for remnants from charitable hands
                                Who cares for starving millions in this land?
                                Even of men-- where do these humble creatures stand?
     
                    7)        Naughty children chasing thee for pleasure
                                Ignorant of their your state beyond their measure
                                Hitting you lustily with stones and bricks
                                They play their pranks and cruel tricks
                                And as you limp with bleeding pain
                                They laugh aloud with heartless disdain!

                   8)        Being provoked some mongrels become insane
                               And bite the passers-by on the lane
                               A flood of fury surges on the streets
                               Dire vengeance and slaughter everywhere meets
                               Bundled together so many guiltless dogs
                               Whirled round by noose to be hurled into the carts.

                 9)         Stuffed like vile culprits caged inside the cart
                              Their innocent pleas not heard by human lot
                              Poisoned to death or by deadly prick
                              A nice humane way to exterminate the sick
                              In getting rid of the dogs-- they feel too glad
                              A menace to society they think--who's mad?

             10)         So many rotting dogs on highway struck
                            Crushed to death by fast moving cars and trucks;
                            Who is to blame? No time to think or spare
                            Unburied do they turn to dust, not fair!
                            Like old people bed-ridden uncared, they  die
                            A bitter truth from street-dogs to learn and sigh!

             11)        How Strange this society! A confusing maze!
                           Dogs deified as Anubis by the Egyptian race
                           Fabled as Cerberus by the Hellenic bards
                           Worshipped by Indians as the sacred hounds of God:
                           Yet treated by us in the most inhuman way;
                           If questioned by Heaven what should we say?

             12)      Their sordid state brought to my sympathizing heart
                          The pitiable plight of the poorer lot;
                          Abandoned to their fate and fatal disease
                          Who yearn for speedy death-their final release:
                          Are we true humans? Doubts assailed my mind--
                          Mere mechanical toys bereft of feelings kind. 

                                  ===       ====       =====                            
                
            
            18th September, 2012                                 Somaseshu Gutala


                References:

            a)    Anubis-- Egyptian god with dog's face presiding over the underworld.
            b)    Cerberus-- Three-headed dog guarding the underworld of Pluto, God
                     of the underworld in Greek mythology.
            c)    Sacred hounds-- Kalabhairava, the powerful aspect of Shiva,is shown
                    with four black hounds accompanying him. They represent f                                        sacred Vedas, epitome of Dharma or righteousness.
                                                             
                                                                 

   
                       
             

    
                         
                         
                   
                       
                       

In Fresh Morning Glory

                                                       In Fresh Morning Glory

                                           In fresh morning glory Nature appeared

                                          Smiling like a baby just awoke from sleep

                                          No bustling sound or hurried beep

                                          Of smoke-emitting cars: the air is clear

                                          With gentle smell of blooms; I hear 

                                          Soft rustle of winds  through leaves and sweep

                                          Of its cool touch as morning rays do peep

                                          Through pastel shades of atmosphere:

                                         No need to know the names of these petalled features

                                         Enough to feel their unpolluted glossy shine;

                                         They shared their joys with mine, these darlings divine!

                                         Unspoiled by vicious destructive creatures

                                         Hidden in a nook these wayside common flowers

                                         Beckon me as I move in early morning hours.

                                                                                                                       

                                      ****************************          

                     28th April, 2012                                                   SOMA GUTALA

                              

The Rose of God

A Wonderful Gift

             
                               
                               

                               

                                            Oh, Let me activate my indolent quill

                                            This happy event let us celebrate

                                            In simple lines my hearty greetings let me state

                                            A new beginning in your lives to fulfill

                                            Your dreams: a new pathway to taste

                                            The joys of parenthood: by shaping skill

                                            Of Nature to feel the utmost thrill

                                            A wonderful surprise bestowed by Creator Great :

                                            More precious than materialistic gain

                                            No gold can surpass the miraculous birth

                                            Of a budding rose or heavenly rainbow

                                            Why brag of lifeless machines with knowledge vain?

                                            Can they infuse our hearts with spontaneous mirth?

                                            Enjoy this beautiful gift with grateful love.

         17th February, 2012                                                                      SOMA GUTALA

ON MY SISTER'S RETIREMENT

                                   My words,too feeble to commend thy blessed name
                                 Your long meritorious service beyond any taint
                                 So precise and prompt,no chance for any complaint
                                 In every cadre you do sparkle--far from blame;
                                 The call of duty ever you obeyed-- just not for fame;
                                 Unruffled by hard testing times,you lived with restraint
                                 Trusting in God, always smiling like a saint;
                                 In spite of changing times your virtues remained the same;

                                 A generous heart of gold gifted to thee by God
                                 A rare unassuming gentle soul working hard
                                 My earnest greetings I express, my sister dear!
                                 A noble example of patience,your innocent mind
                                 In helping others unsought immense joy you find;
                                 Hurting none with harsh words with a conscience clear.

                                        ******************************************* 
  
                                                                                                                      
                 14-02-2015                                              SOMA GUTALA

ON LEAVING THE HOSPITAL

                               
                                            ON  LEAVING  THE  HOSPITAL  


                                   Young faces younger than my daughter's age
                                   Flitting briskly from patient's cell to cell
                                   Clad in snow-white like lillies in a dell
                                   Comforting ailing hearts with counsel sage
                                   With healing touch,kind words and tender gaze
                                   More than dry drugs they cast their magic spell
                                   Young faces without any selfish craze
                                   Serving with zeal both day and night so well

                                  My eyes turned misty moved by their service sweet
                                  Angels in white helping the suffering lot
                                  With soothing words and smiling faces bright;
                                  In their parting farewells I truly meet
                                  Friendly faces with mercy and patience fraught;
                                  Sisters spreading moments of joy and hopeful delight.


                                                 *********************************                                                      
                                                                                               Somaseshu Gutala