Saturday, March 30, 2013

Gold struck!



India is in the midst of a hot summer and the trees are ablaze with the colors of the season. Sharing with you the glory of Amaltas, the Golden Flower Tree (laburnum tree) 




I roll over
on my stomach 
facing the garden
kick up my legs...musing
My garden unfolds like a painting...

Heavy, drooping tassels of Amaltas
Swinging in shades of molten gold, 
 reign among tropical lives
teasing the surrounding unceremoniously.
In heat, sweat and dust- sine die 
The smallest, youngest bud
Shivering in summer’s panic
slip under the flower-laden branches,
The suffocation of flower
delves into the depths of my soul
 nudges me---to act and be felt.

Chased by love and passion, I rush
 Cup the blight bud in my palms
feel its softness against my cheek
Push it under growing leaves-- I believe
Tenderness sustains us
under the auspices of divinity...
I crouch under the Amaltas (laburnum)tree
In literal faithfulness wait with the li'l bud
 for the auburn sunset..
Electric lights come on
Long shadows disappear
I falter for a moment
but, promptly rise 
to the pledge of the night
Longing, hoping for some more
passionate moments

Clouds, sunshine, and seasons 
open inside my mind's paraphrase 
Displaying nature 
with heavenly prowess...
Colors within colors, and
me at the center 
keep hearing
 the soft rustles 
of leaf on leaf
in its inescapable lull




My passion drives me forward to live for my dreams. A passionate moment, no matter how big or small, strengthens my confidence and self-esteem. I enjoy these feelings and strive to receive them as often as possible.

This poem is shared with Verse First---Passion of Poets United AND Real Toad -April-come-she-will

77 comments:

  1. So mesmerizing. A truly magical poem and "I believe tenderness sustains us under the auspices of divinity" is breathtaking. Beautiful Panchali!

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  2. Your passion comes out in lyrical words to touch me--i have no words to describe your prowess--long live Panchali!!!!!

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    1. Oh, you're kind, Indu. Many thanks!!!

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  3. That is a gorgeous picture...beautiful lines...they remind em a lot of Keats' verse, especially Ode to the Nightingale

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    1. I liked the pic too...thanks Swarnali!

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  4. The smallest, youngest bud
    Shivering in summer’s panic
    slip under the flower-laden branches,

    what lovely imagery...and i really like your opening...i look forward to the weather turn when i can roll around outside a bit...smiles...love your sensory work in this as...letting us see...and hear the rustle...

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    1. Thanks Brian...aah, those were my fave lines too:)) Thanks for the encouragement!

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  5. I love laburnum trees SO MUCH! They are beautiful, as is your poem. I especially love "Tenderness sustains us under the auspices of divinity". Wow.

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    1. Even I love laburnum trees so much! Glad you liked the poem. Many thanks, Sherry!:)

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  6. I love Amaltaas(and Gulmohar!)
    Your poem has immortalized the awesome beauty of Amaltaas...even when it is not there to be lost in!
    Lovely indeed:) Thank you Panchali:)

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    1. Hahha...thanks Amit:)) Your lines have thrilled me....!!Many thanks once again!

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  7. A beautiful poem....... Golden words.....

    Debnature
    Kenfolios

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  8. very beautiful and golden words.. truly mesmerizing..

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  9. A beautiful description ... your words are magical !!!

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    1. Coming from you...I am elated Speck! Thanks a lot!

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  10. This is stunning, Panchali. The Amaltas tree is indeed a beautiful tree. I love "My garden unfolds like a painting" and then the stanzas that follow. It is like your feeling for this beautiful tree/ garden leads you inward to explore your passion, your passion for living in general and specific. Yes, "tenderness sustains us." Without it, we wither and die. And in the end, we are led back to to the tree again, the tree which caused the poem to unfold. Lovely message in your words!

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    1. Mary, It was just an attempt.... and hence I am thrilled to read your comment.Thanks a bunch!!:)

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  11. I am bowled over by your sheer brilliance of the power of imagination and the power of expression..Luv u Di :)

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    1. Love you too, Odyzz...:))Glad you liked it... it inspires me to write more... thanks re :)))

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  12. Who says summer is harsh, you just made it pretty with a beautiful poetry. I loved the opening lines and where you talk about holding buds and feeling it on cheeks.

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    1. awww....I love it that you loved it...You're one lovely person Saru. You comment has pleased me immensely... :)))Thanks a lot!

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  13. A treat to the eyes! Beautiful pic and the words you have written just add on:)

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  14. Beautiful vivid portrayal in cadence stays on even after the reading is finished

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    1. Geetashree, Thank you for the compliment... glad you liked it... been worth the sleepless night... :)))):D
      Many thanks!

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  15. Oh! beautiful,pretty, what more can I say?

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    1. You've said everything...ssshhh...Thanks so much, Sarala.

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  16. This is a very positive response to the season! Beautifully described.

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  17. Love the trees and seasons from your part of the world ~ Here, we are still wrapped in winter, but slowly spring is coming very soon ~

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    1. Yes, you are lucky--look at us here. Kolkata is extremely hot n humid already...sadly, our spring-time is very short!Thanks Grace!:)

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  18. Beautiful.
    This summer is too hot.

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  19. Such a beautiful tree...thanks for your passionate words and description of your season!

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    1. Thank you, Susie...Mighty pleased to see you here... :)))

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  20. U have displayed Nature with heavenly prowess by the power of ur words in a Panchalibolchi style of elegance &Grace with a sprinkle of passion & deep understanding of ur motherLand.“Jahan dal dal par sona ki chidiya karti hain basera woh Bharat Desh hai mera”(Where birds of gold dwell in every branch that is my country - India)..Happy Easter :)GOD<3U

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    1. Adhi, You comment has pleased me immensely... :)))Thanks a lot! That's an amazing patriotic song --I ma proud to be an Indian!:)

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  21. Replies
    1. Welcome aboard, Amit:)Thanks for stopping by...and for your lovely comment!

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  22. Very very beautiful Panchali di.

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    1. Aww..thanks Jayshree!! Good to see you here...always! :) :)

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  23. Nice composition with lot of passion.

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    1. Thanks Eshwar for your constant support...means a lot to me:)

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  24. A golden poem on golden tree by a golden person :)

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    1. Dear Valli, Wow..!!! Now I am really impressed with myself...! :)) Have you a pin handy...? Give me a prick wont you...? Thanks a lot, sweetheart!

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  25. oooooh, i think i know that as "golden chain tree" and it's my very favorite! gorgeous!

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    1. Oh, really..? Could be...because the flowers do look like chains, Marian. They are gorgeous indeed....they are all over the city now:)
      Thanks a lot!

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  26. Di!

    you have added vivid shades to this pale colour yet beautiful piece from nature....verses of love ... that make them brighter!

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    1. This is an awesome compliment, Akila... specially coming from you. :))))

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  27. Garden unfolds like a painting

    Yes. And so do your words.

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  28. This is indeed beautiful, as is the golden laburnum tree.
    K

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    1. Oh, thanks for that lovely comment!!:)

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  29. A beautiful poem and I love your ending - a way that we should all live life!

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    1. Thanks so much, Robyn! Glad you agree with me....))

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    1. ummmm....I strained my nose... could smell it as well:) Thanks Vinay!

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  31. Panchali,your poem left me enthralled and fascinated!! Such fine spellbounding imagery!!

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    1. Thanks Usha. What a lovely comment.Cloud nine is a dizzy place to be, isn't it...?! :))))
      I was missing you, Usha!Take care.

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  32. Welcome Panchali!
    A beautiful poem. Excellent photo...
    I send greetings from distant Polish.
    Lucia

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  33. The picture and the words are in perfect harmony, Panchali:)

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  34. I remember these blooms in the trees across the park in front of our house! Thanks for this image and the wonderful imagery of your poem!

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