WHERE HAVE THE BIRDS GONE?
By Hema Ravi
(Teacher, St Mark's School, Chennai)
"Chittukuruvi muttham kodhuthu" (meaning: The sparrow kissed me) brings back fond memories of our younger
days. Our summers were always spent watching these birds build their nests
in the niches of our homes, in the attic, and any other tiny corner that was
away from human eyes. Today, these birds seem to be declining slowly. The
other day, I took a walk in the Theosophical Society, and once again, I
enjoyed the chirping and familiar sound of these birds. (Long, long
afterwards, American poet H.W. Longfellow's poem comes to mind)
Watching and hearing the sparrows was a feast to the
eye and the ear indeed! I would like to share this verse with Young World readers.
Seed eating passerine bird,
Small, pink legged, conical bill
Grey brown, black throated males,
Grey brown with eye bordered females,
Black and tawny streaks on back,
Black winged feathers with white patches
Grayish white breasted birds.
Busying themselves in spring with
Straw, paper, twigs and grass
Nesting on low branches, in our homes, in sheds.
Children watched with interest nests in their homes,
Small birds perched on ledges or lofts.
Today, these have become a rarity,
Where have these sparrows gone?
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Sunday, February 12, 2012
LEAFLESS TREE
In the course of the morning walk
this tree each day
I do pass,
in its naked existence
flanking foliage
it exudes charm.
What tales it has to share
how many life-forms been comforted
in its cool bosom
promises and kisses
exchanged under its shade—
desire to discern
Against relentless rain, glittery nights
sizzling summers and murmuring winds
inflection of clouds day after day
it stands unperturbed, unfettered.
Not a rhymester I am, to lay expression in print
neither an artist nor a lens man
to bring out the sensitivity,
The charismatic tree rouses the prosaic me
Its stillness radiates calm
I continue to gaze….
Looking intently at tree stripped of leaves and fruit
waiting patiently for summer
a monk recognised
the trustworthy autonomy
of divine intervention
love for God, never after ‘ceased to burn’.
Will this leafless tree be the catalyst?
http://www.contemporaryliteraryreviewindia.com/
this tree each day
I do pass,
in its naked existence
flanking foliage
it exudes charm.
What tales it has to share
how many life-forms been comforted
in its cool bosom
promises and kisses
exchanged under its shade—
desire to discern
Against relentless rain, glittery nights
sizzling summers and murmuring winds
inflection of clouds day after day
it stands unperturbed, unfettered.
Not a rhymester I am, to lay expression in print
neither an artist nor a lens man
to bring out the sensitivity,
The charismatic tree rouses the prosaic me
Its stillness radiates calm
I continue to gaze….
Looking intently at tree stripped of leaves and fruit
waiting patiently for summer
a monk recognised
the trustworthy autonomy
of divine intervention
love for God, never after ‘ceased to burn’.
Will this leafless tree be the catalyst?
http://www.contemporaryliteraryreviewindia.com/
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
CALL OF THE SEA (PANTOUM)
The waves are dancing with joy,
Urging fisher folk to come along.
Hidden treasures are there to enjoy,
Mother Nature’s lap is where they belong.
Urging fisher folk to come along,
To cast their nets into the depths,
Mother Nature’s lap is where they belong,
As they wait for a catch with bated breaths.
Casting their nets into the depths,
Swiftly rowing their boats along.
As they wait for a catch with bated breaths,
Their voices gently break into song.
Swiftly rowing their boats along
Hidden treasures are there to enjoy,
Their voices gently break into song,
The waves are dancing with joy.
The waves are dancing with joy,
Urging fisher folk to come along.
Hidden treasures are there to enjoy,
Mother Nature’s lap is where they belong.
Urging fisher folk to come along,
To cast their nets into the depths,
Mother Nature’s lap is where they belong,
As they wait for a catch with bated breaths.
Casting their nets into the depths,
Swiftly rowing their boats along.
As they wait for a catch with bated breaths,
Their voices gently break into song.
Swiftly rowing their boats along
Hidden treasures are there to enjoy,
Their voices gently break into song,
The waves are dancing with joy.
TURBULENCE
Waves lashing at the shore
In a never ending race
Overlapping, overtaking
Heading for victory over the other
Thunder clouds roaring
Menacingly to rupture out
And lash at the earth
With all fury and ferocity;
Forest fire raging
Destroying flora and fauna
With all strength and vehemence;
The river in spate
Devastating all and sundry in its path
The turbulent mind operating
Brewing storm in a teacup,
Conniving new strategies and tactics
The tumult and turmoil
Will it come to rest?
Waves lashing at the shore
In a never ending race
Overlapping, overtaking
Heading for victory over the other
Thunder clouds roaring
Menacingly to rupture out
And lash at the earth
With all fury and ferocity;
Forest fire raging
Destroying flora and fauna
With all strength and vehemence;
The river in spate
Devastating all and sundry in its path
The turbulent mind operating
Brewing storm in a teacup,
Conniving new strategies and tactics
The tumult and turmoil
Will it come to rest?
SUNSHINE
The peal of church bells
With rhythm and song
While waves lash at shore,
The flowering of a bud
And the chirping of birds
The cow mooing in yonder farm,
The morning dew
Bidding adieu the mist
Heralding yet another day,
A mother's love
Akin to a doe with its fawn,
The cherubic toddler enjoying
The mirth of children at play,
Tinkling laughter of maidens gawking
At officers marching by,
Family at the dinner table
In tittle-tattle and Tête-à-tête
Reverberating with joy, radiance and dazzle
That's what Sunshine is all about.
The peal of church bells
With rhythm and song
While waves lash at shore,
The flowering of a bud
And the chirping of birds
The cow mooing in yonder farm,
The morning dew
Bidding adieu the mist
Heralding yet another day,
A mother's love
Akin to a doe with its fawn,
The cherubic toddler enjoying
The mirth of children at play,
Tinkling laughter of maidens gawking
At officers marching by,
Family at the dinner table
In tittle-tattle and Tête-à-tête
Reverberating with joy, radiance and dazzle
That's what Sunshine is all about.
MOTHER'S FOOTSTEPS
Time meant to express my gratitude,
You have braved all storms with fortitude!
From you, I have learnt forbearance,
Imbibed the spirit of tolerance.
Good qualities in me you helped cultivate,
With a carrot and stick, never allowed to vegetate.
"Life is a roller coaster ride,
One has got to take things in their stride."
How do I repay you, if I may ask?
For caring and providing, never taking to task.
Adorable daughter,dutiful wife,loving mother you have been,
Whether I can emulate you, it remains to be seen.
Time meant to express my gratitude,
You have braved all storms with fortitude!
From you, I have learnt forbearance,
Imbibed the spirit of tolerance.
Good qualities in me you helped cultivate,
With a carrot and stick, never allowed to vegetate.
"Life is a roller coaster ride,
One has got to take things in their stride."
How do I repay you, if I may ask?
For caring and providing, never taking to task.
Adorable daughter,dutiful wife,loving mother you have been,
Whether I can emulate you, it remains to be seen.
GOAL AHEAD (Kyrielle Sonnet)
Ambling along the sunlit road,
Decisions made begin to goad.
As the seasons change, change your mind,
Life's treasures are for you to find.
Angst better be left on the way,
Take in the freshness of the day.
With open mind, let nothing bind,
Life's treasures are for you to find.
The goal is just around the bend,
Crossing barriers as you wend,
Divine bliss, when you meet your kind,
Life's treasures are for you to find.
Ambling along the sunlit road,
Life’s treasures are for you to find.
Ambling along the sunlit road,
Decisions made begin to goad.
As the seasons change, change your mind,
Life's treasures are for you to find.
Angst better be left on the way,
Take in the freshness of the day.
With open mind, let nothing bind,
Life's treasures are for you to find.
The goal is just around the bend,
Crossing barriers as you wend,
Divine bliss, when you meet your kind,
Life's treasures are for you to find.
Ambling along the sunlit road,
Life’s treasures are for you to find.
WHITNEY
PRUDENCE
(WHITNEY)
Learn to save
for rainy days.
Fun indeed,
going on binge-
Short-term joy.
Being thrifty
helps maintain a balanced life.
The Whitney form, created by Betty Ann Whitney, has exactly seven lines. Syllable Pattern: 3,4,3,4,3,4,7.
(WHITNEY)
Learn to save
for rainy days.
Fun indeed,
going on binge-
Short-term joy.
Being thrifty
helps maintain a balanced life.
The Whitney form, created by Betty Ann Whitney, has exactly seven lines. Syllable Pattern: 3,4,3,4,3,4,7.
THE SONG OF LIFE
Music
Is what I enjoy most
At all times hot or cold
When I am depressed
It gets me back into a mood
And proceed with mundanes.
Song
In rhyme or verse
Attracts me best
Helps me forget
Stress at work
Or the pressures of home.
Harmony
Which strengthens relationships
To share and care for all
The song of Life
The spirit of freedom
I crave to have.
Music
Is what I enjoy most
At all times hot or cold
When I am depressed
It gets me back into a mood
And proceed with mundanes.
Song
In rhyme or verse
Attracts me best
Helps me forget
Stress at work
Or the pressures of home.
Harmony
Which strengthens relationships
To share and care for all
The song of Life
The spirit of freedom
I crave to have.
TRAFFIC JAM
Whew! Caught again!
Indeed, it is a pain!
The angry snarling rows
Of never ending traffic.
Disorderly, lacking discipline,
Criss-Cross on the roads
Blocking all the exits,
Angry drivers honking
Like the pack on the street barking,
Pell-mell out there,
No one can go ahead from here.
What’s this? Said the tourist to the cabbie
Oh Sir, this is the peak hour traffic!
A policeman comes from somewhere
Inhaling the fumes and dust from the vehicles
A wave of hand to the left, and then to the right,
Yippee! His hands have worked magic.
Vehicles have started moving on…..
Soon it’ll be time for us to proceed
Patience, my dear Sir, it’s a traffic jam you’re in.
Thank your stars if you succeed to get out
Be in time to get your flight,
Lucky if don't get caught in the traffic jam again!
Whew! Caught again!
Indeed, it is a pain!
The angry snarling rows
Of never ending traffic.
Disorderly, lacking discipline,
Criss-Cross on the roads
Blocking all the exits,
Angry drivers honking
Like the pack on the street barking,
Pell-mell out there,
No one can go ahead from here.
What’s this? Said the tourist to the cabbie
Oh Sir, this is the peak hour traffic!
A policeman comes from somewhere
Inhaling the fumes and dust from the vehicles
A wave of hand to the left, and then to the right,
Yippee! His hands have worked magic.
Vehicles have started moving on…..
Soon it’ll be time for us to proceed
Patience, my dear Sir, it’s a traffic jam you’re in.
Thank your stars if you succeed to get out
Be in time to get your flight,
Lucky if don't get caught in the traffic jam again!
A BIRTHDAY
It’s going to be my birthday before long,
So what? It’s just another day to get along.
Said my counterpart nonchalantly
But it’s special! said I proudly
Nothing much but another day in the week.
But it’s the day we seek,
After waiting throughout the year,
Eagerly awaiting as it draws near.
A Birthday’s not another day as every day is.
It is the
Best day in one’s Life
In spite of the odds, to
Rejoice, recall and evoke
The Blessings of the Lord and others
However we may be with them at other times
Delve, discuss and debate as to what to buy,
About the place of the party, get together et al,
You now know, it’s a wonderful day.
A day which calls for celebration
A day which helps forget worries, Undoubtedly
A day where one grows older
A day which makes you wiser
A day when you can share and love
A day when you forgive your enemies
A day to look your best
A day to pass any test
A BIRTHDAY- it’s exclusively yours.
It’s going to be my birthday before long,
So what? It’s just another day to get along.
Said my counterpart nonchalantly
But it’s special! said I proudly
Nothing much but another day in the week.
But it’s the day we seek,
After waiting throughout the year,
Eagerly awaiting as it draws near.
A Birthday’s not another day as every day is.
It is the
Best day in one’s Life
In spite of the odds, to
Rejoice, recall and evoke
The Blessings of the Lord and others
However we may be with them at other times
Delve, discuss and debate as to what to buy,
About the place of the party, get together et al,
You now know, it’s a wonderful day.
A day which calls for celebration
A day which helps forget worries, Undoubtedly
A day where one grows older
A day which makes you wiser
A day when you can share and love
A day when you forgive your enemies
A day to look your best
A day to pass any test
A BIRTHDAY- it’s exclusively yours.
TWILIGHT
At crossroads during the sunset of Life
As days bygone are brought to reminiscences
Without cares or worries, with anxieties and tensions
The ebbs and flows in the familial Ocean
To gratify desires of all and sundry,
With resultant brickbats or bouquets
The fallacy of this world has been understood.
Uncomplicated matters have become complex
The ogre of malevolence, envy, prejudice
Would never ever unravel simple truths
All that is left at this instant
Is to introspect and discern
The spirit and Origin of Man
Riches or scarcity, fame or name
Aren't matters of bother any longer.
While awaiting everlasting peace, undeterred,
Relentlessly, day after day
At crossroads during the sunset of Life
As days bygone are brought to reminiscences
Without cares or worries, with anxieties and tensions
The ebbs and flows in the familial Ocean
To gratify desires of all and sundry,
With resultant brickbats or bouquets
The fallacy of this world has been understood.
Uncomplicated matters have become complex
The ogre of malevolence, envy, prejudice
Would never ever unravel simple truths
All that is left at this instant
Is to introspect and discern
The spirit and Origin of Man
Riches or scarcity, fame or name
Aren't matters of bother any longer.
While awaiting everlasting peace, undeterred,
Relentlessly, day after day
Progression
Walking along the bitumen roads,
Engulfed by gargantuan structures
Gleaming in the sunshine offering a cold stare.
Reminiscent of the locale that man hath dare,
To create his environment, caring for none.
Destroying foliage, flora and fauna,
As if they mean little to him any more.
On the highway, angry horns blare
Whilst passers by make way for the guys in scurry
Who's forgotten all and sundry are in hurry.
In this world of Internet and cyber cafes
With machines superior to live faces
Human kind has become egoistic some more...Alas!
The expansion bubble is about to contract,
Things in society are not intact.
Felony, horror, malevolence on the rise,
One has to STOP! To ponder twice...
Who hath brought this self-destruction!
In the voyage of progression.
Walking along the bitumen roads,
Engulfed by gargantuan structures
Gleaming in the sunshine offering a cold stare.
Reminiscent of the locale that man hath dare,
To create his environment, caring for none.
Destroying foliage, flora and fauna,
As if they mean little to him any more.
On the highway, angry horns blare
Whilst passers by make way for the guys in scurry
Who's forgotten all and sundry are in hurry.
In this world of Internet and cyber cafes
With machines superior to live faces
Human kind has become egoistic some more...Alas!
The expansion bubble is about to contract,
Things in society are not intact.
Felony, horror, malevolence on the rise,
One has to STOP! To ponder twice...
Who hath brought this self-destruction!
In the voyage of progression.
RESPITE
It's the finish of day
Of mundane happenings,
Connections and transactions
Running hither and thither
Breaking, making, forming
New relations and associations
Accomplishing and achieving
Targets set in the rat race.
Now is the time to unwind
To delve deep and find
The other side of me
Which I have failed to see
The dual personality in Man
The perception between the
Real and the unreal, sets the tone
For a new morrow.
It's the finish of day
Of mundane happenings,
Connections and transactions
Running hither and thither
Breaking, making, forming
New relations and associations
Accomplishing and achieving
Targets set in the rat race.
Now is the time to unwind
To delve deep and find
The other side of me
Which I have failed to see
The dual personality in Man
The perception between the
Real and the unreal, sets the tone
For a new morrow.
FRIENDSHIP
Frank, free and filled with joy
Round the year, remaining intact
Increasing over the years
Expressing feelings of love
Never a bitter word
During stress or difficult times
Sorting out problems with each other
Holding out to one another
Individuals with inquisitive minds,
Partners in action and deed.
That’s FRIENDSHIP!
Pushing aside personal woes
Imbibing each others’ good
Hanging on until required
Showering goodness upon the other
Demanding-no, never!
Notwithstanding the shortcomings
Evolving, emerging as better beings
Improving, improvising, never substituting
Reaping dividends from the bond
True enough, that's FRIENDSHIP.
Frank, free and filled with joy
Round the year, remaining intact
Increasing over the years
Expressing feelings of love
Never a bitter word
During stress or difficult times
Sorting out problems with each other
Holding out to one another
Individuals with inquisitive minds,
Partners in action and deed.
That’s FRIENDSHIP!
Pushing aside personal woes
Imbibing each others’ good
Hanging on until required
Showering goodness upon the other
Demanding-no, never!
Notwithstanding the shortcomings
Evolving, emerging as better beings
Improving, improvising, never substituting
Reaping dividends from the bond
True enough, that's FRIENDSHIP.
COLOURS OF MY FRIEND
Black and Whites
are shades when she is
crystal clear and right!
Sometimes red
at the injustice and prejudices
she encounters,
never yellow, cause she is never
jaundiced in her views,
never green, she envies no soul!
Sometimes blue, sometimes pink,
But no matter the colour
I love the way she is.
are shades when she is
crystal clear and right!
Sometimes red
at the injustice and prejudices
she encounters,
never yellow, cause she is never
jaundiced in her views,
never green, she envies no soul!
Sometimes blue, sometimes pink,
But no matter the colour
I love the way she is.
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