1) Upon these calm backwaters here
Of calm Arabian sea so clear
So many colorful house- boats glide
So many tourists thrilled by enchanting ride--
No stormy swing of roaring breakers seen
A stretch of sea dotted with islands green.
2) We stepped onto the boat , a little afraid
Never we spent much time by the ocean side
In fresh-painted colors like a beautiful bride
Our boat so spic and span with chambers wide
A floating wonder with all comforts found
My fears vanished anon as we left the ground.
3) Red juicy foaming welcome drink we had
Seated on cushioned chairs we felt so glad
Fresh sea-breeze touched our limbs with a sense of thrill
No dusty pollution our bosoms filled
With vibrant feeling we watched the scene
Of blue broad blue expanse with distant green.
4) With gentle swing and humming sound we drove;
Pretty islands with rows of coconut groves
And green bananas came into our view;
Pretty hamlets floating like emeralds amidst the waters blue
Rustic peasants and fisher men merrily greet
Offering fruits and fresh sea-food to eat.
5) Young lads raced in their boats with nimble strokes
Calling their mates loudly with sportive jokes:
In country boats the natives rowed along
Cheering each other with a merry song;
Hurling their fish-nets and patiently watch
Tugging nets till they get their precious catch.
6) With effortless ease they rowed from place to place
Selling fruits, flowers and fish arranged in trays;
The pinch of poverty never dampened their hearts
They lived happily with whatever they got;
In them I found a close kinship with sea
Small kids too swimming like fish with merry glee.
7) With silky curtains and smooth wooden floor
The cosy chambers with painted panels and doors
Fine pictures of rustic dames caught our gaze
Young lovers playing in voluptuous ways
Fisher women like mermaids swim and stroll
Young dames pushing the boat with bamboo pole;
8) Dusky tribal women bearing loads on their heads
Returning home at sunset with a weary tread
With full-blown hair the pretty lass enjoyed her swing
The pretty floral designs and birds on wing ;
The throb of coastal life caught in picturesque form
Revealing hard ways of life yet blest with freedom
9) Though few the crew on boat did service great
So prompt and neat, I don't exaggerate;
They made us feel at home in every way
They gave us all for a comfortable stay;
They drove the boat, served tasty food and swept
The floor and set the beds in a beautiful state.
10) Their homely dishes we never forget
So tasty and delightful to our palate;
In spite of meager means they seemed care-free
Never yearning for lazy luxury;
In their hard work they found true pleasure
In playing and singing they spent their leisure;
11) Our boat anchored as the sun began to set
A dim-lit cool stillness for us to rest
A chance to feel the touch of grassy ground
To watch the tiny huts with flowery creepers crowned
Cut off from town this far-flung hamlet, just
Beside the lake far from fever and fret.
12) Just like aliens in another sphere
Under the star-studded dark sky so clear
Gazing at the full-swollen moon we spent
A heavenly night, indeed, God-sent
In deepest slumber felt never before
In cosy chambers of the boat beside the shore.
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13) Youthful couples enjoyed their honey-moon trip
Lying on cushions in mutual warmest grip
Gazing at each other in surroundings calm
Loveliest moments of unforgettable charm
Unaware of mundane affairs and men
Sipping elixir of love like gods in heaven.
14) The rising sun gilded the lapping waves at dawn
Green fields and trees in dew-fresh colors shone
Unfolding Nature's beauty in glowing hue
In dancing shades of gold sparkled the waters blue
As flocks of birds floated like garlands with delight
Whirling around blue waters sunny bright.
15) A rejuvenating journey for us indeed
To catch the glimpse of true joy far from greed
To feel the throb of life-- Pure Nature's gift,
Simple yet wondrous without any rift;
Of mutual jealousy and discontented strife
And maddening rush unleashed by modern life.
16) True joy resides in simple natural things
No bragging intellect or knowledge brings
We found the sacred touch of God in Nature here
Far from worldly worries with a conscience clear;
Not a simple boat-ride this journey seems
True peace and joy felt here beyond our dreams.
***************** Somaseshu Gutala
Note: January,2013
The stay in the house-boat at Alleppey in Kerala gave us a novel
experience of viewing the scenic landscape from a moving boat. The
blue horizon and waters in clear contrast to solid green slopes on land
enhances the beauty of the landscape. The people staying in islands
carried on their routine work just like people on land, but the only
difference is that they travel by passenger boats from place to place. A
close intimacy with sea waters is seen as they bravely drive their own
boats even in twilight. The crew on the boat deserve all praise . To say in
poetry, " Our earnest thanks to such praiseworthy crew/ In this greedy
world we find such men--though few." The crew members, only three
in number did all sorts of work and never gave any scope for complaint.
One person with three missing fingers worked with zeal without showing
any signs of despair. In spite of his physical deformity he impressed us
with his earnest and courteous demeanor. It would be better to enjoy
one's own time without being distracted by modern gadgets with blaring sounds. Of course one can take photos to store these lovely and memorable moments which others will surely watch and enjoy.
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2nd February, 2013 SOMASESHU GUTALA
