Returning home

                      

          Dreaming of lily-smiles and rosy cheeks

          Showers of sapphire and lightning looks;

          A beckoning star with swelling sighs

          I tried to clasp a fistful of light;

          No greeting stretch of hands;

          A stiff-lipped silence

          A cold steel-grey stone-touch;

          I slunk aside in a neglected nook;

          No more I wished for cobweb dreams

          No more to diet on moonlight beams;

          Her dusky bosom heaved at once

          A creeping thrill in darkness dense;

          A wondrous miracle—I felt intense;

          I touched the fringe of bliss beyond myself

          Is it a dream or a mischievous elf?

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

      27th March, 2024                       Somaseshu Gutala

  

A touching farewell

 

                                               

                    

                           Without a touch I have to leave

                           No chance to flash a meaningful smile

                           Or a wave of hand.

                           Our house in traditional vein

                           Full with all our well-wishers

                           Our nearest and dearest kith and kin;

                           To wish them away

                           An unpardonable sin;

                           Every wall and window

                           Too busy with eyes, ears and tongues;

                           No scope for wishes and whispers-

                           I touched the filmy eyes of yours

                           With my palpitating heart;

                            I looked back at the unfulfilled dreams

                            That we left behind;

                            With Time’s onward rush unkind

                             I felt the stab of thy glance;

                             With a suppressed sigh, I made bold

                             A step forward

                             To attend the pulling urge

                             Of the routine, rugged life.

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

     21st March, 2024                                Somaseshu Gutala

Reflections of a middle-class husband

       

                         

                                      

            

         1.    How soon we crossed swift years upon the seas

Of time; I can’t believe, yet what

We got, you may question, but nought;

A routine cyclic round, no splendid breeze

Of victory rippled our stagnant rhythm of life;

We lived as others do as husband and wife.

 

2.    We got good help but not in a state to give

No rosy moments we had, but calmy live

In casual ways sans closer ties;

No events made us sane and wise;

The seas of fate, uncertain and too cold

As deep may be your mind, I can’t behold;

Our duties goaded us to run round the clock

No poetic lilt we felt, no thrilling shock.

 

3.    So many years passed—we rolled like balls

Playing too cautious to break our walls;

Unaware of our goals, we plied on our ways

Unmindful of dreary prospective days;

We kept within our bounds too discreet to break

A compromising deal—no risk or stake. 

 

4.    Our tastes do differ, but our duties link

No lusty greed spurred you; no brink

Of ambition fired my heart; I took

Whatever came with easy look

Reposing faith in the grace of God;

Through ups and downs we patiently trod.

My eager earnings scarcely enough for needs

With rising prices our purses are bound to bleed.

Your careful ways helped me--much I admire

Within our limits we curbed our dreams and desires.

 

5.    In compromising ways, we moved with ease

My life, a leaf whirled round by chancy breeze;

I pray for doing my share of mine by just

Means aided by God and not a burden curst;

I wish thee brighter moments of bliss

Tempered with moral strength and peace.

 

6.    No rolling flood of wealth and joy I share

With thee; a simple soul what can I spare?

No bragging pomp of luxuries I shower

No mansioned magnificence, beyond my power;

Let us maintain our relations with hope and cheer;

Let us live in peace with a conscience clear;

No use of blaming fate for what we got

As middle-class people let us accept our lot;

What more can I promise? No rosy dreams

Smile thy way through, cheer up, no raging screams.

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

15th March, 2024               Somaseshu Gutala

Note: The predicament in a middle-class family is shown. The wide gap between aspirations and reality is described. Of course, the positive aspect is adjustment and mutual understanding.

The Dynamic beat

 

                                                

                       

       Pressed by so many duties down;

       I pant and push through work, no time to waste;

       No time to stop awhile, no time to pause or rest;

       So much to do, I fret and frown;

       No time to touch the frilled pink flower

       No time to feel sweet melody’s shower;

       In Time’s grip lies a monstrous power;

       A warning tolls from lofty, rocky tower;

       My heart beats fast—how much I lost

       A knotty mess still left-oh, God! I am lost;

       Sweating beads in sweltering heat

       I run haggard from seat to seat;

      The rose chuckled, the bird twittered, the leaf

      Fluttered; I sink dead-tired; a lifeless heap.

                    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

      9th March, 2024             Somaseshu Gutala

A Refreshing Ride

                                

                         

       A refreshing ride on smooth and silky ways

       No cares, no prying creature attention pays;

       A pageant green all around with no foul stain

       No brawls, no restless heat, no trouble and no strain;

       I watch the floating strings of birds, those colorful fays

      Unruffled by the bustle of earthly freaks and frays;

      Past memories sparkle within; a tearful feeling sways;

      My bosom like a bee sucks peace around

      Starred with pea-cock-blue buds and berries crowned

      A replica of sky seen here with green background

      Forgetful of worldly worries here I find

      A safe haven—motherly bosom dear, so kind;

      I rush towards thy lap—Thou, treasure

     Of all-encompassing source of pleasure!

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

       1st March, 2024              Somaseshu Gutala

  

    

 

Ode On Complacency

 

                    

                         

                              

 

             

1.    The rose is simply a rose

It asks for nothing more

The lily is ever happy

No complaint or jealousy;

The rose doth never pine

Or look wan at the lily;

The lily never reddens her eyes

To glance at the ruby- rose.

 

2.     But why man doth alone

Cry, shout, sob and moan

To vie with devilish desire--

A never-ending blazing fire

And be not content with his lot?

His trivial temporary part

In this vast world of endless years

As if to drown the globe with foolish tears!

 

3.    A rose can’t be a lily

Neither a lily, a red rose;

This rule of diversity

None so ever can oppose.

So play your part though small and short

A speck you are- work with a cheerful heart;

Whatever is destined, play your part.

 

4.    Live like a rose with rosy cheer

Live like a lily with a bosom clear;

The guiding force, not you but God

On life’s unknown ways, you must trod;

No whining tone can better thy lot

Work with true joy without a guilty heart;

Look at the souls far worse than thine

Brace up, pull on with guidance divine.           

 23rd February, 2024        Somaseshu Gutala

 

 

Ode On Retirement

 

    

                              

                  

1.     For more than four decades you served

 You put your heart and soul in work untired;

 On righteous path you trod; you never swerved;

 Gladly you ran your race—how soon retired!

 

2.    Your acts of prudence, help and advice

Helped us a lot and made us wise;

As long as this institution stays

People speak of your noble acts always.

 

3.    A better example in you we find

For honest, noble acts so kind

To cherish and follow- a light to our mind;

Unshaken by worldly snares which bind.

 

4.    In all fields of knowledge, you tried

Your skill and talent; you have infused

Interest in others and made them abide

By rules, whatever field they choose.

5.    Untouched by pride of status and skill

With brotherly touch and industry

You inspired others to work with thrill

Cultivating teamwork and amity. 

 

6.    Sloth and dishonesty you forbade;

Timely action you took with merciful thought;

By generous and helpful acts, you made

Your noble image within our hearts.

 

7.    Your noble mien and benign eyes

Disarmed the students’ furious cries;

Your sage and experienced advice

Did cool their hearts and made them wise.

 

8.    With all your busy, tight schedule

Still, you loved to teach with zeal

And win the hearts of all with cool

Undisturbed mind to look after our weal.

 

9.    Still healthy, cheerful and hale you are

May God give you a long lease of life

And utilize your skills as he pleases Sir.

Above the pull of worldly strife.

 

10.    Accept our hearty humble regards;

         Feelings too deep to poetize in words;

         May we adopt your example fair

         And with others, your lofty ideals share.

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

       18th February, 2024                          Somaseshu Gutala

         

         

 

PASSING BIRDS

           

            

            

                                       

                    

1.    Once in my green foliage many birds dwelt

A safe shelter for so many fluttering wings

Charmed by cool shade they used to swing and sing

A row of colorful feathers intense joy they felt

I too felt their sensations friendly and warm

My shielding boughs made them feel safe and calm

A sense of meaning I felt in my existence

Made them happy cradled in my green world dense.

 

2.    I watched those tiny birds open their beaks

As mother birds down their throats pushed worms down

Those weak lumps of flesh with twinkling eyes brown;

I watched how they guarded those tiny birdlings weak;

A festive gathering with diverse merry sounds

Those static figures on boughs slept above the ground

A merry, luscious, pulpy feast they had

Feeding on my clustered fruits, they felt glad.

 

3.    Those feathered comrades too felt elated and free

Their eyes seemed to grasp my green touch and shade;

They flew from branch to branch with twittering glee

My shelter to them is a heavenly glade;

My youthful vigor inspired them indeed;

In every corner they scattered my blooms and seeds;

A close inseparable bond we enjoyed in past

But now I feel those golden moments lost. 

 

4.    With rolling years my verdant glory seen no more

Like splintered clouds driven by winds I shed my leaves

No growing tender shoots or buds I retrieve;

Those that remained turned sickly brown to the core;

A seared dry stump of wood with branches bare

No rustling dreamy whispers can I share

No proud bunch of dense foliage I display

On my bald top no more birds dance and play.

 

5.    Our looks and views driven by time slowly change

Our kindred bonds influenced by growing age

No more can we go back to our earlier stage;

Time’s unpredictable turns beyond our range

My bosom friends no more approach with rustling wings

No more will they spring on leafy branches and swing;

Like passing clouds new relationships they seek

Leaving my dry withered branches cold, dry and bleak.

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

   14th February, 2024                   Somaseshu Gutala

 

 

On my Stay at “Temple View Restaurant", Shirdi

     

                              

Superior Room

                            

Deluxe Room

                                        

Suite Room

                

Family Room

Interconnecting Room

Quadruple Room

                         

Hotel Corridor

Sai Naivedhyam

                                

Sai Amruth

Temple View Entrance

This hotel is located just opposite the famous Shirdi Sai temple at two minutes’ walking distance (110 meters). This four-star hotel has forty-three rooms on two floors. This hotel established in 2014 has historical significance. This hotel is owned by the renowned Gondkar Group of Shirdi. Sai devotees, Late Sri Waman Dada Gondkar and his brother, sri Murlidhar Baba donated their land to Sai Sansthan. On this land known as Lendi Baug, Sri Sai baba cultivated a garden where now the famous samadhi mandir stands.

  The hotel has all amenities like lift, wifi, A.C. L.C.D. television, telephone, laundry, free parking space, 24x7 hot water supply, mini-frizz, locker facility, coffee/tea maker and complimentary breakfast and free bottled mineral water. Airport transfer is provided on payment. This hotel has rooms of different dimensions to meet the customers’ requirements. All rooms are spacious with a table, a cupboard, chairs or sofas and bathroom accessories. For an extra bed, one has pay one thousand rupees.

The superior Room (237 sq. ft) has one king bed. The suit room has one king bed. The deluxe Room is more spacious (301 Sq. ft) and has a king-size bed. The interconnecting room (366 sq. ft) has two king beds. It is connected to the adjacent room through a connecting passage and is convenient for two families. The family room (441 sq.ft) is meant for five people and comprises three beds. The Quadruple Room (431 sq. ft.) with two double beds and one single bed accommodates up to four persons. The corridors, rooms and the lobby room are clean and well-maintained. On the walls of the corridor paintings of famous musicians of Indian classical music are displayed. It would be better to display the paintings of Sri Sai baba and the important events in his life to show the importance of this famous holy place. The synthetic screen shield meant for shielding sunlight does not block bright illumination outside at night. So dark-colored curtains may be better provided to give better ambiance at night time. The room service is quite prompt and good. In this hotel pets are not allowed. Smoking and use of alcohol are not permitted. Non-veg and food from outside are not allowed.

 This hotel has a restaurant by name “Sai Naivedyam”, a multi-cuisine restaurant managed by the famous Hotel G Square. It is a vegetarian restaurant where one can find delicious dishes of South Indian, Asian, Chinese varieties of tiffin and meals.  “Sai Amruth” is another restaurant managed by the famous Shetty’s Swatik group. It is a multi-cuisine restaurant specializing in Maharashtrian, South Indian, North Indian, Gujarathi and Rajasthani cuisines. Apart from these there are many restaurants nearby such as Blue Coriander, The Tulip, Ahaan restaurant, Sri Sai Sagat food court, Sai Sagar Food Court, Madhuban Saatvic restaurant and Haldi Ram restaurant etc.

There are many worth-seeing places near this hotel such as Shirdi sai samadhi mandir, Sri Adinath Swetambarnath Jain Mandir, Kandoba mandir, Sambaji Park, Sai Teerth Spiritual Theme Park (1.4 kms), Sai Heritage Village (3.8 kms), Pachamukhi Vishnu Ganapati temple (5 kms) and Wet n Joy water park (1.4 kms). This hotel is in prime location and attracts many tourists due to its proximity to Shirdi Sai Mandir. It is 1.7 kms from Shirdi Bus stand, 15 kms from Shirdi International Airport, 2.8 kms away from Sainagar railway station.

The staff at reception desk are very courteous and helpful. The receptionist on request gave us print outs of our darshan tickets as mobiles are not allowed. At the time of leaving the hotel we received a beautiful idol of Sri Shirdi Sai Baba as a token of their hospitality. As our flight is late in the evening, we had to extend our stay by a few hours. We were charged nearly Rs.1200/ for staying beyond our check-out time. It would be better if stay-in period is of 24 hours duration as train and flight timings do not coincide with the fixed timings of check-in and check-out.  As most of the pilgrims go out in the early hours of morning, coffee/tea may be provided at least by 6.00 a.m. The Temple View Hotel is one of the most favored restaurants to tourists visiting this temple-town.

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

    9th February, 2024                    Somaseshu Gutala

The Village in Moonlight

                                      

        

                              

                  

 

                 1.           Before the sunset the hamlet

                 Withdraws from buzzing activities;

                 The birds nestled in cool, dense trees;

                 The village became calm as a rivulet;

                 The bustle of beating wings westward

                 The sound of crickets from the sward.

 

                 2.         The wavy breeze doth gently play

                Peace spread over all, no noisy sounds;

                Under the tree, the elders gather around

                To talk of crops, cattle and rainy days; 

                The smoke of cigars and cheroot uprose

                Through star-studded darkness in repose.

 

              3.           The song of boatman shoots through silence

              The sound of drums and cymbals heard

              In distant hut, a ritual proffered

             To some folk-deity with sweet incense;

             A drunken husband’s shout steals through

            The thickening night as dense as glue. 

 

          4.           Under the thatched roof is heard

          The tinkle of bells and sighs too slow

          From resting cattle in the faint dim glow

          Of fireflies beside the bleating herd;

          The hay- fresh smell doth makes them swoon

          Under the soothing light of the moon.

 

      5.              This pollution-free freshness soothes my mind

        Touched by soft motherly breeze so kind;

        I closed my eyes and merged with night

        In deepest slumber in cool moonlight;

       Even the belated gull’s cry moved me not;

       The village slept in moonlight, a heavenly spot.

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

   4th February, 2024           Somaseshu Gutala