Green Hues

The bare branches gave way to a plethora of colour. Pinks, purples, reds, yellows. Now as the breeze carries them to the ground, green hues replace them. A walk down the street, a drive on a highway or a lazy afternoon at a park surrounds you with the freshness of green. It is perhaps because of this that I feel the need to increase the amount of green in my home. The lonely money plant cannot anymore rival what lies outside. An aloe now joins it, young and still new. To them, I want to add more. But apparently a degree in botany hasn't had much impact on me. I continue to know nothing about plants.

Having always grown up with plants at home, I am suddenly missing them. Having something to care about instills in me a warm feeling. I am not entirely sure why. Maybe because it makes me feel important, or it potentially reminds me of a long left behind childhood, or perhaps I have found a new hobby I really like. Whatever the reason may be, I hope to have a more emerald home soon.

The Kill

She watched from the bushes, patiently waiting. It had been 68 hours since her last meal. Food was scarce. Water even more so. The herd seemed oblivious to her presence. They approached one of the last green patches of grass by the the trickling river. The older members looked around for signs of danger. She remained behind the bushes, barely breathing. They didn't notice her and went on to graze. She moved stealthily toward the stream. Getting it right was extremely crucial. She knew she was weak. She must have food soon. The black and gold hair at the back of her neck stood up straight. Still hidden by the bushes she moved closer. A calf had wandered away from his mother's protection. He moved closer to the bushes as he approached the drying stream. She had to pick the right moment. The calf, now closer to the bushes than to his protective circle, was extremely luring. She knew the time was right, her muscles tensed up. And then in a sudden snap she bolted from her cover. Sixteen unbroken strides later her canines were on his black neck. Before he realised what had descended upon him there was blood oozing out of his jugular. The adults rushed toward them. The teeth sunk in deeper. Blood continued to flow. As they tried to chase her away with their horns, she grabbed him and started to withdraw. They swarmed on her harder, ramming her sides. Repeatedly, they came at her. Her skin tore, her blood met his. She couldn't hold on any longer. She let go and ran. They chased her away. They did it for him, she ran for her. But it was too late. He was dying. She must keep running to seek shelter from them. He was gasping. The food was but a drop of blood to her. They tried to nudge him to his feet. She licked her wounds. He got up. She sat down. He floundered with his steps. She began shivering. He fell. She lay down. He shut his eyes. Her eyes rolled back. They lost him. Her life left her.

Spring has sprung!!

The signs of life are everywhere. The cherry blossoms bloomed. The tulip spectrum is everywhere. Daffodils are smiling. The temperatures are up. Squirrels are scurrying. Petals are flying. People are sneezing. The skirts are swaying. The sun is smiling. The azure sky is clear. Colours are bright again. Black scurried out the back door. And AND the geese have left!!!

I want to...

...smile at the sun.
...lay in a hammock.
...laugh with a baby.
...wrestle with a dog.
...skip on a cloud.
...fly with the birds.
...swim amongst dolphins.
...hug a koala.
...gasp with the wind.
...find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
...find the end of the rainbow.
...tickle a dolphin.

Acorns and Thoughts

After a long day spent indoors, at dusk I waited for a bus. The ground around me is cluttered with countless acorns. As I pace up and down, from the corner of my eye I catch a slight movement. A little guy, a teeny tiny squirrel if you please, is scampering about. He grabs one of the acorns. Then he notices me inch toward him as I try to capture him on my camera phone. As I struggle to figure out the zoom on this excuse of a camera, he throws quick glances to his left and right. Drops the acorn and runs for the bushes he'd emerged from. It was an unsuccessful attempt at the photographing, but this little incident took me back in time. Back to the days when I held the world in wonder. When acorn-collecting squirrels belonged in cartoons, books and in the land far far away. Now I am in that land far far away. Now I realise the beauty of mother nature. How the shedding of acorns is timed aptly with pre-hibernation. It's perfect how just as the squirrels get ready to fill their holes for winter, the trees drop the food they require. A cynic may view this as 'survival of the fittest' or something equally practical. They'd say, those that can collect and store this food will survive the winter. Those that choose to stock up a little too late, or opted to hibernate earlier may not survive the throes of winter. I for now, will reject the cynic's opinion, and look around at the ground carpeted with acorns and wonder: "How do these acorns disappear after a while?" "Do the squirrels collect all of them?" "Is it cleared due to human interference?" How big, infact, are the holes the squirrel will reside in for the next few months?". As I walk around looking for these holes in the trees, my bus rolls by, and for now my thoughts must pause...

-written in Fall 2008

Away in Philadelphia

A weekend getaway to the oldest city and the first capital of the United States of America was one I never imagined would be so perfect. The bed and breakfast was quaint and added a personal touch to the sojourn. A city brimming with art holds within it an exquisite museum of art, a Rodin sculpture museum, murals on the roads and art made of regular people’s trash! The Eastern State Penitentiary handed us an interesting tour of escapes and living conditions of the inmates then. A lazy afternoon at Rittenhouse square garden with a meal of quiche, peaches and home made ice cream was what really made the trip unique and special. I fell in love with the city!


-written in summer, 2008

Of Europe in America

After having watched The Darjeeling Express at Loews we stepped out into the cool crisp fall air. A short walk took us to Café La Ruche for a quick meal of French appetizers. As we stepped into the restaurant we noticed that it was empty save a man behind the pastry counter. A befuddled look later, we stepped out to notice the outdoor seating was filled with people. And outside we met the host who led us to our table, the only one set near a tree. The pavement made of tile, some of which broken was just as I imagine Europe to be. Right next to us a man played his guitar whilst singing, resembling further the European mood of the evening setting. A meal of escargot cooked with mushroom and garlic, and lamb sausages made this evening one that rivaled with perfection.

-written in late 2007

Chimes and Calmness

I have finally moved into my new place opposite the National Catherdral, here in Washington DC. The view from my room is that of the Cathedral, which obviously renders the sight exquisite. The room itself is the perfect size for a person living alone. The windows are large and allow ample daylight to enter. This is a refreshing change from my earlier accommodation. The room however, lacks an air conditioner. Which at the end of September doesn’t prove to be a major setback. There is a ceiling fan, a rarity in this country and a fantastic reminder of days in Bombay. After having found my night clothes and brushing my teeth, I lay in bed to spend my first night at home. As I lay there, the sound of the passing traffic and the fan causing the odd paper to flutter took me back to the times I spent in Bombay. As those days ran through my head I drifted off to sleep with a smile on my face.


-written sometime in late 2007