WHERE AND WHEN ? (Blank Verse)

   

                     

                                                         WHERE AND WHEN ?

                                                                      (  I  )

                                     " You took your birth in south western zone

                                      You are not a part of our land:

                                      You were bred in eastern hamlets far

                                      You are not the son of our soil;

                                      You did grow up in suburban towns

                                      You speak with a different accent and tone;

                                      How can we make you a part of us?

                                      Your figure is quite different from ours

                                      Your manners and methods quite different too;

                                      Your ancestors not known, your traditions quite strange;

                                      You are an inhabitant beyond our range."

                                      They said and treated me as an intruder

                                      Their voice unfriendly with a burning touch;

                                      I felt embarrassed in this so called modern age

                                      Still we tilt  with so many dividing lines and isms :

                                      Still we have not regained our cherished vision.

                                      

                                                                           ( I  I  )

                                     The land where I was born now looks quite strange and new

                                     The language they use not much known to me;

                                     The whole town metamorphosed into a new and vast city

                                     Not a face or mansion can I notice now

                                     Even not a plant or bush to testify my place of birth;

                                     The place where I grew up too turned unknown

                                     All sites and scenes dissolved in dreamy fog;

                                     Where are my ancestors and their long withered roots?

                                     Not a trace of their history remains on sands of time ;

                                     Their estates burnt, their lands sold away long ago ;

                                     Even their names not known—a forgotten myth or dream ;

                                     I felt myself, a denizen of bygone ages dropped at once

                                     On a new planet, unrecognized and unnoticed;

                                     What am I? Dislodged, displaced like wandering gypsies

                                     I move like a struggling soul in purgatory

                                     Uncertain of its final destination and goal. 

                               

                                                  

                                                                           ( I I I )

                                     Time has transformed each and every corner

                                     New mansions and new highways with hi-tech malls

                                     My place almost now strange as strange as myself ;

                                     A new group of residents came up

                                     With new fashions, idioms and usage

                                     Ours, an old bygone disappearing stage ;

                                    Like a stranger roaming in a remote unknown land

                                    Like a shattered boat caught in the stormy ocean

                                    Like a stray animal chased by wild beasts

                                    I felt in my own land that changed in all aspects;

                                   A great sea-change in our attitudes and perspectives too –

                                   The eternal question persists “Where and When?”

                                   So many races, cultures and creeds vanished

                                   Still doubting Thomases go on with changing queries;

                                   Perhaps we may face the same question in hell or heaven

                                   Our origin, a mystery beyond our mortal vision.

                                                              ????????????????????????????  

                     24th october, 2017                                           Somaseshu Gutala                   

Ode to a Beautiful Bust

                           

                1.                   A beautiful bust cut in marble white

                                      With life-like features and beauteous brow

                                      In artistic shape with an angelic glow

                                      My bosom warmed with feelings bright.

               2.                   A beautiful bust with lips of rose

                                      In graceful curves with a bashful smile

                                     With innocent looks far from guile

                                      With a delicate well-proportioned nose.

               3.                  A beautiful bust with bright snowy curls

                                     Like Cynthia or Juno with dimpled cheeks

                                     So soft and white like roses sleek

                                     Beauty’s natural charms her smiles unfurl.

              4.                  A beautiful bust above our swift-winged change

                                    With a snowy neck in simple garlands worn

                                    Gleams like white moon in early morn

                                    Beyond our earthly fancy, beyond human range.

              5.                  A beautiful bust without crude pompous show

                                   Who carved it in such proper shape sublime?

                                   Perhaps an ancient goddess of ancient times

                                   With a crown of leaves adorning her brow.

        

              6.                A beautiful bust with no waxen dreams

                                  To struggle and strain with throbbing pain

                                  But to smile and smile with happy beams

                                  Fringed with angels in pretty design.

              7.                A beautiful bust in deathless domain

                                 Where body and soul in bliss combine

                                 Harmony carved in spiritual shine

                                 That peaceful ecstasy can I attain?

              8.              A beautiful bust with a saintly face

                                With a halo star-like glowing light

                                With silken curls and visage bright

                                A true goddess in marble form I trace.

             9.               A beautiful bust with perpetual smiles

                               Unperturbed by tides of wayward time

                               In festive mood forever in youthful prime

                               Inspiring all with cute features agile.

          10.             A beautiful bust reflecting feelings pure

                             A soul-created symphony fine

                             Pure love deified to such beauty divine

                             Inspired by true art will forever endure.

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

                

                          Cynthia =  Greek goddess of the moon

                         Juno        =  Queen of the Olympian gods.

   Note :  This poem was composed by me long ago when I visited a museum. I have revised it with a few alterations here and there. This ode has a faint influence of the famous ode of Keats "Ode on a Grecian Urn" where the poet finds 'Beauty in Truth and Truth in Beauty." The poet contrasts the ephemeral beauty of human world with permanent and aesthetic beauty of art where nothing changes and is above worldly worries and troubles. Art inspires people of all times with its timeless message and makes us forget our problems and gives us a new message of joy and hope to withstand the passing changes.

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


                             16th October, 2017                                  Soma Seshu Gutala



     

                              

ODE TO A CLOUD

                   

                                                               

             1.              Like tender thoughts of love nourished and grown

                              Away from worldly woes with care-free heart

                              After stormy blustering blast of passions blown

                              You glide like a lovely song of poetic thought

                              On effortless wings through cool and crystal air

                              With graceful ease on blue sky surface fair.

                  2.         The colors of bashful youth still linger light

                              On thy cheeks with diaphanous delicate hues

                              As thou glidest free through horizons bright

                              With gentle tread scattering pearl-white dew

                              Over grey hills, white mansions and green palms

                              Hanging like a pendant on welkin’s charms;

                  3.        Where is thy goal? Why wanderest thou and where

                             You look in vain with deep blue crazy eyes?

                             Have you forgot your home? How can you fare?

                             No easy path with well-mapped response  lies :

                             How can you cross this endless mysterious maze?

                             This trackless expanse beyond one’s gaze!

  

                4.         This misty domain through which you pass reveals

                            Queer changing shapes of airy shapes in vain;

                            Not only thou, but numberless souls feel

                            Their aimless wandering through this azure plain

                            Like faded leaves driven by stormy gale

                            Looking for clues with anguished faces pale;

               5.          Look, who invites you with endearing charms

                            Thy mother from whose womb thou took thy birth;

                            Who gave thee life and suckled thee in her arms

                            Who filled thy heart with tender love and mirth

                            Who gave thee precious life from her touch divine

                            Look, see her bosom heaves for thee; a sacred shrine.

             6.            O’er mossy lawns, o’er dappled hillocks brown

                            O’er thin-bellied rippling gentle streams

                            You float on arched wings of iris fresh-born

                            Scattering tinted shades through rain-bow gleams

                            Your pace slows down and dissolves thy airy breath

                            Into pattering drops to kiss the earth beneath.

   

       7.                Assuming various shapes through sunny beams

                          Quenching the thirst of trees and growing corn

                          Giving fresh lease of life to dried up streams

                          You travel unwearied at night till morn

                          Flashing lightning smiles and thundering roar

                          As blithesome drops of rain incessantly pour.

        8.               Thy visit kindles warm light of hope and love

                          Thou, messenger of God’s precious mercy

                          Our bosoms dance as thou decked with rain-bow

                          Dissolve thyself in thrilling ecstasy

                          Touch this earth with thy rapturous sounds.

                          The rush of swishing winds leaps out of bounds.                      

                   

      9.                 Thou, blue bird of heaven, come swift and soon

                          Thou, glory of God! Angel of generous grace

                          Throwing thy silver veil over the moon

                          Gladden our eyes with thy cool refreshing pace

                          Dissolve thyself  from thy heavenly spires

                          In glistening hues of pearls and shining sapphires.

                                                                               

      10.              Descend slowly like a light snow-white swan

                         Descend, Oh cloud, in scintillating tears!

                        Tinged with rosy tints of awakening dawn

                        To kiss mother earth with devotion clear

                        Shed thy long-journey’s burden and recline

                        Settling thyself in peaceful cool weather fine.

    

     Note : This poem is a revised and improved version of the poem composed in 1971. It was very crude and not well-organized and was composed on the spur of the moment. Now I re-organized the poem and added some more thoughts to bring it to the present shape. In this poem the influence of Shelley's famous odes "To the cloud" and "West Wind" is seen. The cloud represents the journey of the soul in this world searching for its original home. Ultimately it finds its source in Mother nature from where it is sprung. The cloud also represents God's mercy and kindness towards creation. The cloud is the 'Angel of generous grace' and is 'the blue bird of heaven". It floats on arched wings of rainbow and showers rain "in glistening hues of pearls and shining sapphires."The cloud gives life to dried up streams and makes all happy with its rapturous dance and lightning smiles. The cloud is like a soul freed from raging passions and obsessions and finally settles itself in peaceful state of love and joy.

                          ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

     Ref :                   Iris = Greek goddess of "Rainbow"

                                Diaphanous  = thin and airy; very fine

                                Dappled       =  marked with patches

                                scintillating = shining or exciting

          6th october, 2017                                             Somaseshu Gutala

                        

                                

          

At Komala Vilas, Sunnyvale, California

                                             

During our 30-day stay in U.S. we did not often visit restaurants . But we made more than one visit to this restaurant which is quite nearby and which suited our tastes. In California as there are many Indians and Asians, we find many Indian restaurants offering many types of food and refreshments. We felt more at home in this place as we got very tasty and nice typical South Indian tiffins and meals. My friend, who is very critical about judging the quality of food, preferred this restaurant which offers the best South Indian dishes. So he often frequented this restaurant and recommended this place to many of his friends and relatives.

 This restaurant is located in a busy area where you will find so many other shops and restaurants as well. Though it is not that spacious it is neat and tidy. Of course there seems to be a heavy rush during evening hours. You have to go to the counter and order your items and wait till your name is called. So you have to wait with patience till your turn comes. Amidst South Indian dishes items like Idli, Vada, Dosa, Uttappam and Pongal are often ordered. There are nearly twenty types of dosas from which you can select your option. In the combo plate you will get three items like idli, vada, upuma, pongal with chutney. For meals you will have a plate with dal, two curries, sambar, rasam, two chutneys,  papad,sweet and curd. W e preferred Idli and vada which are very delicious and crispy given with green and red chutneys and sambar.

 Many customers ordered various types of Dosas where as one of my friends who had superb testing skills judged that he had eaten the best pongal here and was beyond compare . The steaming coffee given in steel tumblers in South Indian style is also very refreshing and stimulating. But it would be better if more space is given for customers to avoid congestion. Cleanliness should be also improved. Tables should not be seen with leftovers and empty plates littered on the table. Though service is good, it can be improved further by prompt and quick delivery of items ordered. On the whole Komala Vilas is the best restaurant if you wish to a have pure vegetarian South Indian type of food with good taste and flavor. This restaurant is closed on Tuesday and is open on all other days of the week. The working hours are from 8.30 am to 2.30 and from 5.30 pm to 9.30 pm. From Friday to Sunday the restaurant is kept open from 8.30 to 3.00 pm and from 5.30 pm to 10.00 pm.

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

   

Dated :2nd october, 2017

      Somaseshu Gutala

At “ Clay Oven “, in Irvine

 

                                                       

During our brief stay in Irvine we did not find time to prepare meals at home though our friend had kept all provisions ready for cooking. So after our tiresome trips we used to look for a suitable Indian restaurant to satisfy our appetite. On the first day we tried at a restaurant having an Indian name but the dishes were too spicy and not so tasty. The next day we found by chance a very good Indian restaurant “Clay Oven” in the center of the city. The name of the restaurant made us think that we would have traditional dishes prepared in an old conventional way. But when we entered, we found a very spacious restaurant with neatly arranged tables and good ventilation. The ambiance is very good and the staff is very friendly and prompt in their services.

 Of course it is not a purely vegetarian restaurant.  Only North Indian type of meals is served along with Chinese, sea food and continental varieties.  Yet we felt happy to see some Indian dishes of various kinds served in clean bowls garnished properly to stimulate our taste buds and looks as well. Besides nowadays most of us have an occasional taste of North Indian variety also. Among rice varieties items like vegetable pulao, Brown rice pulao, and Cumin pulao are available. As for starters pakoras and slices of roti were given. As for wheat items, we had to select from cheese naan, missi roti and garlic naan. We had cheese naan which tastes almost like our chapatti.

 

 As for curries saag alu, jeera alu, bhindi masala, baingan burtha and lentil daal were given. Raita, sauce and papads were given as side dishes. As the items were not much spicy we had a satisfying and tasty dinner there.  After meals sweet items like kulfi and gulab jamuun were given. The rates of dishes are also quite reasonable and will not cost more than 30 dollars. Here all vegetables and other ingredients are supplied from organically cultivated gardens. One can also opt for gluten-free preparations. This restaurant has been catering to the needs of people for more than three decades. Modernizing Indian dishes without altering native flavor is their sole objective and in this aspect I think they have tried their best to satisfy the customers in all possible ways. Here private parking facility is available. This restaurant is open from Tuesday to Sunday. The restaurant is closed on Mondays. Lunch is served between 11.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m and dinner from 5.30 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. "Clay Oven" has its branches in other places like San Francisco, Indianapolis and St. Petersburg. 

                                       

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

                   27th September, 2017                       Somaseshu Gutala

A Visit to Sea World, San Diego (established in 1964)

View of Sea World from Above

restaurant inside Sea World

                       

Bayside Sky Ride

                                        

We went to Irvine to put up in our friend’s house as he was away and he was generous enough to permit us to stay in his spacious house for two days. The distance from Irvine to San Diego is nearly 85 miles and so we could easily go for sightseeing without much strain. Irvine is a spacious city with many companies and universities. It has got many tourist attractions but we confined our trip to San Diego only due to limited time schedule. The climate was also quite dry and hot and as we have children in our group we did not wish to cause much strain to them. We went directly to the famous Sea World which provides both fun and information for all.

It is advisable to book tickets online as the price is comparatively less that is 59.99 dollars as against the counter price, 94.99 dollars. It would also save time of waiting in long queues. The opening hours are from 10.00 am to 9.00 pm. Here for elders and disabled people, strollers and wheel chairs are available on hire. Besides having an aquarium it has animal theme park, roller coaster rides, marine mammal park and a lot of games for children to play and enjoy.  This park is operated by Sea World Entertainment and adjacent to this there is Hubbs Research Institute which does research in marine biology and provides detailed information to public on marine themes. In Sea World there are 26 animal habitats, fifteen rides, two play areas and twenty four special time-limited events. The entrance has a beautifully decorated façade with colorful figures.

Dolphin Show

                      

Sea Lion Show

Polar Bear (Wild Arctic)

Flamingoes and ducks

Decorative statues of marine creatures on the way

 We hurried to see Dolphin Show which commences at 11.00 am and the second show at 2.00 p.m. A huge crowd was seen all sitting on the steps of galleries. In the lake a few dolphins were seen performing many acrobatic feats as the instructors were playing with them and throwing food whenever the dolphins obeyed their commands with clock-like precision. They swam very close to the audience and allowed themselves to be touched with affection. Their eyes looked quite human and expressive of their innate feelings. They sprang up into air and leapt in curves splashing enormous jets of water on the clothes of people seated near the lake. Their dancing movements and swimming skills captured everyone’s attention, especially children who shouted and laughed with joy. Next we proceeded to Amphitheater to witness the dramatic performance of sea lions which was a very superb and thrilling show. The sea lions obeyed the directions of the trainers in a perfect manner, expressing emotions and feelings in their every movement in spite of their bulky bodies. We never thought that marine creatures would act in such a wonderful manner expressing through their movements every delicate emotion and thought. The Asian small-clawed otters also complimented the show by their funny acts in their own typical manner.

 By the time the show was over we felt quite hungry. Luckily we bought two all-day dining pass tickets priced at 35 dollars each by which we can have our food at all times till the closing hour. As it was very hot we had to buy many water and juice bottles to rehydrate ourselves. Later we went to Bayside Sky ride, a six-minute ride on two 80-foot towers moving around a loop.  It gives you a beautiful view of bay and the scenic surroundings around. Floating above sea waters and the green trees gives a refreshing feeling to anyone. Later we took "Shipwreck Ride" which gives you an experience of a ship caught in storm and tossed about in a jig jag manner. Our boat went up and down and whirled as if we were caught in a thunder storm. The sudden jerks and turns resulted in splashing of water on our clothes. We sailed through tunnels and narrow ways flanked by huge rocks and jets of water fell on our heads drenching us from top to bottom. Amid this commotion people screeched and shouted with thrill as they neared the bank.  With wet clothes we immediately went to dryer booths nearby to get warm again. One has to pay six dollars to avail this facility. As we have limited time we did not watch “Pets Rule” at Nautilus Amphitheater. In that show animals like dogs, cats, pigs, ducks, emus, porcupines and kangaroos perform various feats.  We watched a swarm of rose-colored flamingoes strutting on the platform surrounded by a circular pool. Hawaiian geese and ducks are also quite cute and pretty. The popular killer whale show “Shamu Rocks” was stopped in November, 2015 and so some of us felt disappointed for missing that special performance.

Journey to Atlantis

Ship Wreck Ride

Shipwreck Ride

Penguin Encounter

Turtle Reef Aquarium

Walrus in Wild Arctic Show

Sting Ray Aquarium

We proceeded to watch the Wild Arctic Simulator Ride Show. The whole room looked like a giant helicopter and we sat in our seats securely fastened. We suddenly felt as if we were lifted into sky and carried away with rapid speed. We could see the ground below dotted with hills, buildings and busy roads. Suddenly with jig jag movements we landed amidst huge snow glaciers where we saw flocks of penguins, seals and polar bears. A very fantastic view conjured by technological miracle! The light and sound effects coupled with cold temperature make us feel quite realistic. After the show we were led downstairs where we can see real Arctic animals and fish—like seals, walruses, polar bears and adult beluga whales. Next some of our team members went out to enjoy “Journey to Atlantis”, a Mac Ride Water Coaster. We rested near the Stingray Fish Aquarium where we saw many multicolored stingray fish and Jelly fish floating in water.

Sea Dragon Drop

Tentacle Twirl

Octa  Rock Ride

Abby's Sea Star Spin

 Children love to enjoy many rides here such as Aqua Scout (submarines that spin and bounce), Sea Dragon Drop (a gigantic swing that moves back and fro), Tentacle Twirl (a swing ride themed as jelly fish),  Abby’s   Sea Star Spin ( moving in teacup shaped seats) , Octa Rock (swing high into air), Manta (soaring and diving coaster), Skywalk Maze (a bridge covered on both sides for children), bouncing floor etc. “Explorer’s Reef” has four different touch pools to interact with a variety of fish like brown banded sharks, white spotted sharks, horse shoe crabs and many other kinds of fish. On the east side of the park behind Penguin Encounter one can see “Owen Center” where many rescued birds are kept in aviaries. This park has special facilities to rescue and take care of many endangered species of marine fish and animals like seals, sea turtles, sea otters, octopuses and dolphins. There are four aquariums for 
both fresh water and marine fish and creatures. Here some seasonal night shows are also organized now and then. There was so much to see. But our time is very limited and so we returned quite satisfied and a little bit tired also.

 This place gave us an opportunity to have a glimpse into the magical world of marine life with so much variety in shape, size and color as well. We will miss this abundant variety of life if we do not care and protect them. The ultimate purpose of places like these is to inculcate in our minds about the need to conserve life gifted by Nature and seen only on this planet. This organization has established Sea World in Ohio in 1970 and in Orlando in 1973. The largest Sea World was established in San Antonio in 1988. If one has time and patience, there is so much to explore and enjoy !

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


     24th September, 2017                                        Somaseshu Gutala