Isn't it unfortunate, when its there you take it for granted, and when its gone you sorely miss it. I was reminded of my maternal grandfather's home when I read this quirky description. The Green Ogre:A tree may be our primary connection with the universe.
Summers spent hanging around under a huge peepul tree there, watching the huge black ants scurry among the roots and fallen leaves. Teasing and getting teased by cousins and my brother, reading a book a day, wandering off to the cow shed to feed the calf. Nungus from the tree in the evening, picking parijatha with my grandmother in the mornings, listening to the never ending koels. Slapping the gigantic evening mosquitoes with irritation and frustration. Mosquito nets, dim lights.
A lifestyle disappeared?
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Ambika,I wish to see many more poems like this!Appa
ReplyDeleteCharming!
ReplyDeleteSomehow I feel that if I show this to Ro he will not be charmed -- rather he might be appalled and horrified and just plain grateful that his was a more recent childhood!
Appa, prose, not poetry, thanks!
ReplyDeleteKamini, yes, imagine no 24 hour TV and no internet...how did we survive?!
Those koels can really keep you awake, if you're trying
ReplyDeleteto get to sleep early [ Changa Village, near Bilimora, GUJ 12/93]
You make me long for another age. Lovely. And "reading a book a day" - the best thing. The best.
ReplyDeleteHa ha, that's true Injamaven! I dont know if you read these posts -
ReplyDeletehttp://madraswanderer.blogspot.com/2010/06/ko-el-crescendoes.html
and
http://madraswanderer.blogspot.com/2010/07/asian-koel-population-on-rise-in.html
Gardenia, yep, Enid Blytons, then Hardy Boys and Perry Masons, all consumed voraciously, not to forgot Phantom comics!!!