Sunday, April 14, 2013

Sloe-eyed Summer




As the month of April dawns-
A heavy-lidded Sun
cowers in the corner
The heatwave wraps the day
stilling every moment,
hindering every thought and breath
a little everyday..
The fields lie brown and baked
Tufts of paddy splay out
like dried flowers; they
crackle even if you look at them
Exhaustion and fear line every face,
 especially animals at every step
The monstrous heatwave strangles 
harder and harder....
in weariness life lives
with fear that weighs more
than the bones
The worst fear of all:
What if, this excruciating heatwave
never ends!

Written for http://dversepoets.com/ MONSTER
Shared with http://poetryblogroll.blogspot.in/






86 comments:

  1. It WAS hot in Kolkata!
    Nice chain of words for the pic.

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    1. Indrani, It still IS...in fact, its worse :((( Thank you so much for your kind words...

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  2. oh heck...a heatwave can def. be a monster that makes animals and people suffer hard...hope it cools down soon a bit for you

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    1. Oh yea, Cloudia...its extremely bad this year! The city, wher I live is sizzling under an unusually hot April sun, life has become particularly difficult...we need Nor’wester now ...:)
      Thank you very much!

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  3. Summer heat is really treacherous. It affects every living being. Fear not 'if Winter comes can Spring be far behind?'

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    1. Well said, Usha. But, the problem is that the conditions are not still conducive to Nor’westers...we need a tornado-like storm to bring the temperature... its always lovely to see you on my blog..:))
      Must check out your blogs. Have been a bit irregular. My internet has slowed down drastically...:((
      Thanks a lot!

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  4. nice.. how the weather can actually portray our inner emotions is somehow inexplicable.. wonderful poem!!

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    1. Hahaa...actually the heat is getting too much to bear. So, the emotions flowed out effortlessly :D
      Thanks Ashwini.

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  5. he monstrous heatwave strangles - Love this and i wish it was sunny here. Well written and with feeling.

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    1. Oh, and I wish, it was cloudy and stormy here, alan. It's only the second week of April and the city has nearly touched the 40°C mark...!! It is still a long way to go...!
      Thanks for your kind words :))

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  6. you wrapped the summer in your words didi.... the pic has a cooling effect....

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    1. Oh...I guess, heatwave is a synonym for anger/ and anger is monstrous!! Don't you think so?? Yeah, the pic is sweet...I picked it up from the net.
      Thanks Sreeja..

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  7. They certainly seem to never end. Hope it breaks soon.

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    1. Exactly Cosmo...and especially in the eastern part of the country--we have a long, sizzling summer. Amen to your prayers...
      Thanks a lot!

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  8. Panchali, welcome you very warmly.
    Great poem ... and macaques in the picture very funny.
    I send greetings from distant Polish.
    Lucia

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    1. Greetings from India, Lucia. Happy to see you. I am glad you enjoyed reading this. Haven't been around..so must have missed your wonderful blogs. I'll be there soon:) Thanks friend for your constant support:)

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  9. Panchali - firstly the pic - so cute! Heavy lidded sun cowers in the corner...as if it too has had enough. We experience droughts here quite often in the farming part of Australia, the poor farmers battle trying to keep stock alive and watered. I hope you get rain soon. x

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    1. Wow...that's a nice way to think about the sun, Rambly...:D:D Hope in turn it gives us some respite from the rising heat !! So, you are from Australia...it must be winter for you now !! I didn't know that drought affects your country as well. Our region suffers from a chronic lack of water. So, drought in India is a common issue. Amen to your prayers...

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  10. ugh i feel you....last year the storms took out power and it was a week before we got it back...right int he midst of a heat wave as well...it was brutal..it just saps your energy

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    1. Yes, Brian...it does!April and May are seasons for Nor'westers in Kolkata and these thunderstorms arrest the mercury on a regular basis. But meteorologists have ruled out a Nor'wester hitting the city this time...so, the city is sizzling in heat.
      Thank you so very much....

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  11. :) brutal summer's scary face reminded by splendid array of well placed words !! you are always a pleasure to read Panchali di even when you reminded me that the 'Sweat-like-a Pig' days are about to get worse when I would repent staying on the 3rd floor and repent why I bought LG AC and why not Carrier :(...
    Yes about the photo ?? google a pecho or is it your capture coz its a suppa duppa click ?

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    1. Arghhh...goodness, heat from terrace top makes the ceilings worse. Instead of changing ac, make a false-ceiing--it's gonna help, mysay!:))
      Chobi ta goggle er re...not mine! Sotti bhari mojaar:D
      Thanks re...

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    2. ehem...what language is this :|

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    3. BANGLA...!!!:)))))))))

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  12. Summer portrayed with perfection

    Geetashree

    http://panaecea.wordpress.com

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    1. Thankyou so much for your kind words, Geetashree..Feels really nice:)))

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  13. This summer was the hottest ! your lines so truly reflect the intensity of the situation ma'm. brilliantly weaved as usual :)

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    1. Ah Maliny, The city is sizzling at 42°C - higher than the highest for last April. Its bad...Glad you enjoyed reading, my dear!Thanks a lot!

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  14. I wish for summer heat here ~ But I agree those heat waves can be monstrous ~

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    1. Oh, never wish for this kind of summer. It is definitely global warming this time...I hate these monstrous heatwaves...Thankyou so very much, Grace:)

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  15. I understand that heat waves can be monstrous, but as some have said before many of us are waiting. Outside this morning I found snow on the ground. Totally depressing in what should be spring. Love that picture.

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    1. oooh..you are so lucky, Mary!!! Please send us some snowflakes :))Aaah... I envy you. Kolkata normally witnesses a tropical wet-and-dry climate, hot and humid during the summer months. April shouldn't have been like this...the city is sizzling!! I found that pic on the net...liked it :))
      Thanks a lot for your kind comments. How are you feeling now?? Get well soon, Mary.

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  16. Very true Panchali di. Coming from Chennai, I know exactly how monstrous it can be!

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    1. Yes!! Now, you'd know what we are going through...that's another part that sizzles almost throughout the year :((
      Thankyou so much Jayshree.. I'm so glad you could find the time to read this :))

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  17. Living in drought-stricken parts, summer is rearing its head and my fear of "strangling heatwaves" is childish, but lurks nonetheless.

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    1. Thank you, Libby !!! Oh, so you will also face those 'strangling heatwaves'...arghh...

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  18. The heat does sound suffocating - poor animals in their fur coats at such times. Your poem crackled with the heat, Panchali. Hope you are finding some coolness indoors.

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    1. Thank you, Sherry !!! That is indeed a great motivation.
      Severe lightning with strong gusts of wind and light drizzles brought relief to us last night. So, we are so relieved.:)))Thanks a lot!:)
      Sorry about the delayed response.

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  19. in weariness life lives
    with fear that weighs more
    than the bones

    so much said in these lines...

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    1. Glad you liked the poem... thanks so very much, Serena:)))

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  20. Beautiful poetry Panchaliji:) The pic is awesome too.... Summer expressed in an ironic way...

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    1. Bushra!!!Thank you so much for the wonderful words.. I'm overwhelmed:)))

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  21. April is the cruelest month? for us, this entire period, up to October is scorchingly bad.and I hate the heat.but there is really no escape.

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    1. Yes, Abin...even I hate this heat. But, last night's storm brought down the temperature considerably....so, let's enjoy the weather for the time being :))
      Thanks for dropping by...

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  22. Panchali, our summers are very hot and humid, I can just feel it in your poem. Your words are beautiful! A wonderful poem from a difficult situation--I hope that you get your Nor'wester soon :-)

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    1. SaraV, A stronger Nor'wester of the season lashed the city last night and brought down the temperature considerably...but we know it's a temporary phase :((
      Thanks so much for the lovely comment.

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  23. "a heavy- lidded sun cowers in the corner" one of my favorite lines in this lovely poem.Great one, Panchali!

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    1. Thank you, Lisa for that lovely comment. I'm overwhelmed...:))
      Sorry about the delay in responding..:(

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  24. Wish i could get a bit of sun here. Still very cold, cloudy and gloomy here :(
    Lovely lines, Panchali ji! Really warmed me up!

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    1. How I envy you, Meoww.....!! Glad you liked the poem. Your comment warmed me up, my dear:) Thanks a bunch!!!

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  25. I think your question at the end of the poem is a powerful one. The answer to that question may decide the future of the human race! Well done!

    Don't Lay Me Down

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    1. Hahaha...that's a fear that nags me all the time, wabisabi! Thank you so much.... Glad you approved of the blog:)

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  26. Nice writing..I like 'tufts of paddy splay out' ;)

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    1. Thanks KKKKKaty, so much...I love that series of K...So, do you have such a long name??? Amazing...:D

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  27. This piece was wonderful.
    ZQ

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  28. The monkeys are so adorable. So good to see they have a bucket of water for themselves. Your poetry echoes the sad state of heat wave that we are passing through, aptly and so very beautifully. It is so hot that it really seems like the season will never end. :(

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    1. Arti, Sorry about the delay. Have been a bit busy...But, I am so glad you appreciated this blog..Thank you so much...:) Yeah, those monkeys look cute. I picked that pic from net..loved it and thought it was apt for this poem.
      Thanks a lot for being here and for that lovely comment!!:))

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  29. April is so intimidating...that i fear may!! isnt it DI!!:)

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    1. True Akila...and I hate this weather! Thanks for stopping by...:))

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  30. I'm waiting for this summer to end!! It's so hot here in Hyderabad! :( If the heatwave never ends we'll die for sure!

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    1. Ah, Hyderabad weather also gets unbearable during summers. In fact, it is fairly warm all throughout the year except for the winter season which is pleasant....:)) Thanks a lot!

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  31. True, Bangalore was known for its weather. But this time in Bangalore also its very hot.

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    1. Bangalore weather is changing...in fact, its happening everywhere. Blame the global warming...But, B'lore had some hail-storms recently, so it must have brought down the temperature considerably...Thanks Ranjana for being here :)))

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  32. Strong and intense words for the terrible heat wave generated and nice picture.Its hot in Mumbai too. Still May has not arrived .
    Travel India

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  33. Panchali it is just starting;if you want to experience summer in it's full majesty come over here !

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  34. So much so for the spring time, that we never even realized when we stared breathing in the summer. Wonderfully put forth, just as during summer time somehow, the thirst never quite gets quenched and remains with you; so does the stinging summer effect till the last of your words.

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  35. Wow amazing, I could literally feel the summer heat and suns....good work...

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  36. बेहतरीन आईडिया है इस पोस्ट का, आप भी अब seasonable पोस्ट करने लगी है.
    इस पोस्ट की तस्वीर को मै जितना गौर से देखता हूँ, मन उतना विचलित हो जाता है. अभी कुछ एक सालो से हमारे गावं में बन्द्दरो का आंतंक हर गर्मी के दिनों में चालू हो जाता है गावं के आस पास की खेत जमीं को गर्मी में भी फसल लेने के लिए बहोत सरे किसानो द्वारा बहोत सारी बोरेवेल लगाई गयी है, वह भी competion इतना ज्यादा है की एक की देखा सीखी हर किसान कर रहा है अब भरे गर्मी में जहा लोगो को पिने के पानी की किल्लत से ज़ुज़ना पद रहा है वह लोग फसल उगा रहे है, इसकी वजह से गावं तलब नाले सभी जल्दी से सुख जाते है अब पानी की तलास में बानर सेना गावं पे हमला करती है, मै तो सॉच में पद जाता हूँ, और एकाएक १ शेर याद आ जाता है

    रुख हवाओं का भी देख ऐ आग जलाने वाले
    कोई चिंगारी न उड़ के तेरे घर तक पहुंचे .

    पता नहीं किसने लिखा ह, आप को पता हो तो बता दे बड़ी मेहरबानी होगी

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  37. It is hot all over with very less water everywhere.

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  38. Heatwave :( - true and now being April, I can understand the wrath of the sun.Good poem on the same !

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  39. summers....hot it is but we have made every season worse.have to blame our greed only.When God created seasons He made a balanced plan but we interfered with His scheme a bit too much.

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  40. It gets monstrous here in Delhi too...We are already facing the blaze of its furious eyes ...by june it will be here COMPLETELY...

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  41. Hope the excruciating heat ends soon...Loved the pic...the money with closed eyes, taking a bath is looking cute...

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  42. I love that title, which immediately sets the mood, and then the way you pile up the details to convey that stifling lethargy.

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  43. Oh!! yes ..The Sun these days has a wide grin on his face ..You seasoned the poem in accord with the season..Lovely indeed,as always

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  44. we got to blame ourselves for changing the pleasant climate of our lovely nature..Is April really cruel? today global warming is talked everywhere& no water to quench thirst& u have handled such a topic very well by ur innovative technique of expressing words to thirst our minds wanting to read more ur creative writings..Panchalibolchi kudoos..God<3u

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  45. Yes, this April is furious to crush creatures with heat.Nice topic.

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  46. There is no respite from searing heat now! Well written Panchali:)

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  47. We Bangaloreans experience the mix of both, the sweltering heat as well as a slight drizzle in the evening. :) But I feel the intensity of the poem, the heat can be excruciating, it drains all the energy out of us.
    Your flow of words is very beautiful, as always Ma'am. :)

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  48. I am truly honored by the your lovely comments. This really gives me inspiration to continue with writing.

    @ Vishal, Indu, Himani, Vandana, Lucky, Rajesh, Uma, Namita, Sadia, Deepak, Ekta, Mukhtiar, Rosemary, Odizzey, Adhi, Rudraprayag, Rupertwind, Rahul and Akshay !!

    I was traveling so, I couldn't reply and thank individually all the readers who left comments on this poem. ...I am grateful :) Thanks a ton, my friends!

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  49. Oh My God! Those monkeys are so adorable!! Especially the one in the water with closed eyes!
    Hope you are doing well, Panchali di! I haven't visited in ages! Sorry about that!

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