Rajkumari Amritkaur College of Nursing Reunion

Rajkumari Amritkaur  College of Nursing, New Delhi graduates had reunion on September 27 and 28 at Toronto Ontario at the residence of Ms Ushi Choudhuri. About 40 members attended the get together and had our social event in the evening with song and dances from the members. Next day was our formal introduction and getting to know each other, followed by sumptuous lunch. I was the most senior, being a graduate in 1958, Two other members were 1959 grads. The youngest graduate was of 1990. I had presented my books of poetry to Ms Ushi Chouhduri the graceful lady, the hostess of the event as a token of appreciation for her hospitality. Listening to the members about their achievement and success. was really heartwarming.  

Python Under My Grapefruit Tree

The Python under My Grapefruit Tree. (published in Story Circle Network June 2009) It was the summer of 1942 at Jiribam district in Manipur state of North Eastern India when one of the villagers came to inform my father that some men killed and brought a big snake. My father went out to see; then he called us to come out, so my mother, grandmother and I joined the crowd. There lay a creature as if in deep slumber. I, seven year old and scared, stood behind my father looking at it, unable to believe my eyes. I was told that it was a python. It had smooth skin with a brown blotchy pattern. Seven or eight people were standing in a circle. One of the villagers was complaining that he’d lost his goat. He was going to the sugarcane field that crossed the stream bordering the field and backyards of the government quarters. When he saw this big snake he called his friend for help. They decided to contact the police department . Police came and shot it. Herpetologist refer two types of python found in India: rock python, found in all parts of India, and regal python usually found in North Eastern India and Nicobar Islands. Pythons are believed to live in cool, shaded areas near rivulets, coming out only at night to hunt for their pry. I remember it was long, may be, about seven feet, I am not sure which type of python it was. After it was shot, three men from the rivulet pulled out the majestic snake, and laid it undr the shade of my grapefruit tree. As a child the image of the gigantic python remained with me as a scary one. As I grew older, I felt sorry for this beautiful snake with dark brown blotches and smooth skin, a creature that God had created with meticulous hand. It met a terrible tragedy by losing its life because it was hungry and swallowed somebody’s goat. But I was glad it could rest under the shade of my favorite grapefruit and hoped the tree gave peace to its soul.

Silent Dream

Silent Dream On the track leading to life’s destiny The train chained By chattering thoughts Speeds on non-stop. The restless mind crowded with the Wagons of happiness and sorrows Is embedded in exuberant past and present. Those alternate moments of joy and woe Are marked permanently on the pebbled path of life, Its swiftness unconceivable. Even the mighty hands of knowledge and science Cannot slow it down. As it moves on uninterrupted Unaware of the ones, left alone in the desert sand The myriads of the lonely souls Mingled and lost with the whistling wind of obstacles Floats in the air in despair. The heaven and sky shed tears of rain to quell the anguish While mother earth opens her arms. Fleeting images of the hills and plains, And the tunes of the birdsongs Whispering to the moon and sun Give melody to my silent muse. These hovering invisible fleets of thoughts, Run forever on the track of my silent dream.

A Spared Bill

A  Spared Bill

I overhear the clicking of coins

in his hand-held container.

As I approach nearer, he shakes it

more rapidly with a rhythm.

I turn my head to glance,

and see an old man in his tattered cloth,

looking anxiously toward

all those people who pass by.

He catches my attention

with his toothless grin.  

He captures me in his unhidden smile

while I fumble inside my purse.

Alas, the coins are missing.

A dollar bill pops up!

While I drop the bill into his container

it does not make a clicking sound,

but he looks happier in his toothless grin.

March on Timeline

March on Timeline

On the timeline of life’s path

Marching on,  

As fast as a deer

And slow like a snail’s move,

Quiet noise of self

Stirred out into the bowl of peace,

Churned into a buttery compassion

Brave heart stumbles into a wish

Where peace and love be

Found wrapped up in a humble fold.

It is March, another addition to my life’s  

Existence. Today I need to hold on the

Path I have chosen to share happiness

To the world at large.

 So is my choice to march on at any pace given to me.

Bent Creek

Bent Creek

                                                                                                            

My daily walk usually starts from the left side of our lane but today I decide to turn right.  Again I walk up the slight hill, then immediately turn left to cross the small bridge over the creek. A ripple to soft music whispers and lures me.

I can’t help but stall my walk; turn toward the creek and peep through the net fencing. It looks so calm and gentle with a melodious tune of flow. I send my greetings to it and in response the creek giggles though the ripples while it continues its journey. I continue to view it as solemn silence and peace enter me.