The Tharavad was the best house in town
the trees, flowers, fruits, ponds, canals and the green fields
pristine nature along with abundant love
were more than what we wanted
The lively chorus of bird songs gently woke us up in the dawn
the pleasing odor of mangoes, jack fruits and cashew apples
told us exactly how ripe they were
alluring us, the juveniles, with their bright colors
Jasmine, spider lily and rose bushes tickled our senses
with their intense fragrances
the earthy scent of petrichor in June
soothed our souls and cooled our beings
The scent of fresh soil when the grass is pulled
inhaling the dry smell of summer
along with the aroma of home cooked meals,
sweets, snacks and savories were our respite
Worried only about climbing trees
aiming right when throwing stones at fruits
or jumping up to the high swing on breadfruit tree
and finding a balance in the mildly flowing canal
The little fears were of the unseen snakes
or getting caught while playing in the wood fired stoves
and the intense darkness of night
The only disgust was the smell of rotting cow dung
The only disgust was the smell of rotting cow dung
Croaking frogs, Mooing Mangu, our buffalo, cackling roosters
chirping cicadas stroking our curiosity of where they came from,
chirping cicadas stroking our curiosity of where they came from,
squealing in glee watching fireflies at bedtime
all added to our
delight
Stories the elders told us at nighttime
put us to sleep, along with our own
whispers to the cousins' clan
made us feel safe in the eerie silence
Can I go back in time
Where all the adults were stronger and bigger than us
not a care, not a worry, no insecurities and competition
nestled in care and protection amongst loved ones
life was one big vacation
Can I go back in time, please?
Yes, you can, milady, at least in this blog. This and the last post have been nostalgic of the past. To complete the nostalgia, if there is a picture of a certain little girl in pig tails ........ :)
ReplyDeleteIn times like this, its nice to view the past with rose tinted glasses. Almost nothing we have ever encountered is even remotely near what we are all going through. And so filling the heart with lovely memories of childhood is wonderfully soothing indeed.
Absolutely Ramesh. The nostalgia is the result of some of the stress due to the lockdown and quarantine. Not easy times for any of us. Hoping and praying all of us are safe and will be able to live through this without having to endure any adverse consequences. Keeping fingers crossed and hope all of us around the world are well, mentally, physically and emotionally.
DeleteAfter seeing your comment, I want to drive down to my parents place and rummage through the old albums to pick up the pictures in pigtails. hmmmm
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