Cochin backwaters

A single boat gliding
In spite of the rain
Cutting thru the tiny circles
Formed and erased
Again and again . . .

The canal slithering quietly
Under the bridge
Cars and heavy containers
Plying overhead
Like toys

Eichornia floating
In bold green patches
Coconut groves to the left
A sprawling mansion
In the distance.

A rare piece from Bose

Ninth month of second lease
First outing of four hours' drive
Six thousand plus altitude
Hundred odd rotarians at PETS
Only one to be with me anywhere
Twelfth of June or Fourteenth of March
Counting my blessings as ever . . .

Kodai in early March

Sentinel tree tops
Weak sunlight at the back
Cirrus clouds
spread over a blue sky
Puddles on the ground
speaking of yesterday's rain

Was it cold or was it
when the mist landed upon our car
And the lake got lost
People caught unawares
scurrying into small shops
as the raindrops fell
Huge and cold, fast and full

The aroma of baking bread
wafted in the air
Stirring up memories
of childhood treats
Buttercakes from the oven
Fresh and fragrant

Cut down

The tree was felled finally
Tortuously, inch by inch
Quarter of a century is not a long stretch of time, maybe
For trees
But for me
A precious period

A random seed that grew on its own
Watered by my children
And climbed on by my grandchildren
when strong and sturdy
The thick clusters rustling in the afternoon sun
Hiding the few fruits in the upper branches

O mango tree
I miss you