learnings

Armed with a camera And tagging a few kids along Went visiting the local park... The Tower stood tall and proud In its new coat of paint. Riding high above the tree tops Saluting the sky.. Taking with her all our dreams An' thoughts... Serene she stood Amidst noisy chatter Of young an' old. Vendors doing brisk business Children on the jungle gym.. Young skaters and anxious parents Soap bubbles and balloons floating Up with it go all worries. Wise citizens sit and stare Young lovers steal glances Fountains and soft grass Lush trees and being with oneself Ah.. an evening to cherish.

I stare at the unmoving leaf Willing it to move So that there may be a gentle breeze On this hot summer noon, A crow broke the stare I returned to the staring contest. A bee hummed past A feather hurtles I lie unmoving Staring at the still leaf, A housefly torments me Till it settles on the mango peel. Sweat drops tantalize me I do not take my eyes off from the leaf Willing it to move Till the maid removes the painting to dust it...

Nestled amidst the rugged Satpuras The deciduous forest houses Teak, Sal, Mahua and more Silence stings us The crunchy leaves beneath startle us A Blackbuck stops to stare A gaur stands still Wild boars forage humbly Langurs play mischievously Wild dogs prey on a spotted deer! The drongo, doves, kingfishers, Changeling Hawk, bee-eaters All flit by.. Till the jungle cat prowls and roars. The jungle life halts So do our hearts.. As we come face to face With the Spotted Prince Staring benignly at us thro' its blue eyes!! For further details please visit: http://www.facebook.com/swapna.nair?v=app_2347471856&ref=profile#!/notes/swapna-nair/visit-to-a-biosphere-reserve/385886777771

I drove up the hills With excitement pounding in my veins To be part of the ruins of a great era.. A temple stood in mute splendour Built with mere stone By the mighty Pulakesin Upon his defeat of Harshavardhana Thousands of years ago... Protected by the rocky Satpuras and the dense forest It had withstood the invasions Yet time and weather had taken its toll Sculptures stand silent testimony To the skill and talent of the humans of yore.. Fascination and pride in my heart I Returned to tell the story to all... For pictures of the ruins that I took please visit : http://www.facebook.com/swapna.nair?v=app_2347471856&ref=profile