The Sleeping Buddha

Under the frozen fireworks, the mighty Buddha sleeps

Lying blissfully in his fortress of snow as the dawn sweeps

A lens-shaped cloud draws over his face like a soft curtain

And I watch him, rooted to the ridge of another mountain

The bluish-white silhouette embodies eternal tranquillity

acknowledges me as a child lost in the crowd of humanity

Trekking from Sepi to Samanden to Sabargram via Molley

for a flawless view of the Kanchenjunga wasn’t some folly

I fill up on silence as my heart reels from the inner noise

awaiting la primera ray of light to stir the panoramic poise

A crimson orb appears in the east, highlighting the horizon

Casting a celestial glow on the massif that’s now vermilion

I stand witness to the genesis of a new world anointed by fire

And I see a shot at redemption before we face nature’s ire

Racing against disruptions, degradations, disasters & deaths

Why can’t we allow our only planet to catch a few breaths?

Will we finally ask ourselves how much do we really need

and let Buddha’s message of contentment win over greed? 

Under an elephant’s foot – I

Etched in my memory is that early morning walk in a coffee plantation

Four of us chatting, brushing past the dew-laden leaves in slow motion

 

Plucking pepper from the peppercorn vines, smelling the vanilla pods

Nothing could be more idyllic than this weekend, what were the odds?

 

Our guide, Prakash was born in these hills so no trail was new to him

nor were the birds or animals; he could sense an elephant and its whim

 

What are our chances of spotting one today? I had tried to think loudly

‘Coorg is a part of Elephant Corridor ma’am’, he reminded us all dryly

 

We were now closer to a watering hole to spot some feathered friends

Only to discover fresh circular footmarks in wet mud around the ends

 

‘Wild elephants often impair the electric fences to cross over for water’

‘Why did we come here then?’ I felt my trust in our young guide totter  

 

But the bird watchers, pros and amateurs were busy with their lenses

And inner peace seemed to have arrived too, suffusing all our senses

                                                                Suddenly all hell broke loose! 

t r a v e l ...

Travel | Till the last rays dip behind the mountains
Travel | Right where the space greets the uncertain
Travel | All the way deep to seek the myriad blues
Travel | Very much across, collecting all the clues
Travel | Even if it means to stretchhh & reach out
Travel | Like there won't be any reason without !!

Seat 12E

Traveling in a plane had always been an experience that was looked forward to, until, of course the budget airlines came and obliterated the novelty of it. But a few things still remain the same. Like the feeling when the airplane wheels leave or hit the ground; looking out at the sky and clouds (or even the moon if you are lucky) through the capsule windows; getting to see the city map in motion etc.

At thousands of feet above the ground, there's not much you can do if you haven't penned your flight hours in your 'to-do list' already or are bored checking out the flight attendants (being your nth flight) unless you belong to the clan for whom sleeping is a 'favorite hobby'!!

Turns out that if you are a potential insomniac, there couldn't be a better place than this flying gadget to unclutter your mind, heart and soul. Well, I decided to try the same.

I had just managed to get through the final calls at check in and boarding so as I settled in my seat, my mind was still reeling under its effect. Being the last one to board in, I had two gentlemen between me and the window. In some time it was evident that they were fresh graduates, on their way to start their career in some IT company.

Closing my eyes, I decided to decant myself of the thoughts, picking out the insoluble ones who were adamant on ruining my air-borne meditation. It felt great, to be present in the present without any thoughts. I could sense my senses and my cells settling into a neutral state.

I knew nobody in there who could nudge me from my state unlike at home or office (even had my seat belts fastened throughout). Even as I was warming up to the stillness of my thoughts, Shakira appeared. “Waka waka e e ..Tsamina mina eh eh .. this time for Africa'. What was that? Had I slept attempting meditation and was dreaming now?

Amused, I opened my eyes to know the origin of the music only to find that Seat 12E had decided to reveal his penchant for English songs to seat 12F and the absence of headphones could not stand in his way. What is it with guys and songs?

In the numerous air-trips I have had, I had always wondered why people longed to get aisle seats to get better view of the air-hostesses, why people hurried to be the first in line when boarding is announced (as if they could grab or reserve a better seat for themselves), why airlines expected us to wear our seat belts even when the engine stops (as if the wind would blow it away any time) or why do they serve sandwiches meant for astronauts and ignore your requests for additional glass of water (as if you have committed a capital crime). But this one beat my imagination.

The Delhi Metro's announcement echoed in my ears, “Kripya metro me sangeet na bajayein. Please do not play music inside the metro”.

Some fifteen minutes later the pilot decided to land the plane. Only as it slowed down, we relaxed our spinal cords. “Ladies and gentle men, boys and girls, we have landed at the IGIA in Delhi. The outside temperature is 37 degree celsius. Please do not switch on your mobile phones until the plane completely stops as it hampers the communication systems … “

But even before it could be completed … “Hello, hello, yes, Mr Gupta speaking. Actually I have just landed at the airport. I will call you back in ten minutes”.

Whatever happened to the safety and communication systems!