A basalt gateway welcomes the weary traveller to the heart of a magical land
A land with a memory stretching back several millennia
Where mighty empires and dynasties have taken stand
Charmed by the inexplicable mystery and beauty
They have left an undeniable impression, their love manifested like mania
The soil is infused as though with purity unknown
Monsoon rains release an aroma that captures the imagination
A land where farmers work the ground serenading the grains they’ve sown
Where the fauna dance and frolic heralding the seasons
A land exhibiting exotic produce and many a tea plantation
I remember a land embraced by the lofty Himalayas, worshipped by the seas at her feet
A land of numerate provinces, cities and towns filled with innumerate people
Where trains and buses abound; fortunate are those who find a seat!
Transport here is daily a life ‘transforming’ affair!
Where the roads are a practice in sitting still, for person and vehicle
A land where a small town can gather at a bus stand
Where weddings are just not worth going to if there isn’t a band
A land where the best commercial kitchens are put to shame by the one on wheels!
Never ceasing to serve up dangerously deliciously meals
A land as though made of puzzle pieces joined to display a microcosm of earth
From the lush backwaters of Kerala to the shifting sands of Rajasthan
To the snow lathered rooftops of Shimla and snow-capped peaks of Ladakh
From the majestic palatial estates of Rajasthani royalty
To sheltering slums; to the lights and glamour of Marine drive
Life is daily painted here as it always has, in all its colour!
Written By: Xquist Life (Sunny)
I wrote this poem by drawing inspiration from photos of India depicting the daily happenings of a land so enchanting it defies imagination..
References for Images used:
- Pti. (2019, February 8). Maharashtra government to beautify gateway of India. Housing News. Retrieved February 7, 2023, from https://housing.com/news/maharashtra-government-to-beautify-gateway-of-india/
- Wikimedia Foundation. (2021, November 16). Maramadi. Wikipedia. Retrieved February 7, 2023, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maramadi#/media/File:Maramadi_dravidian_sports.jpg
- Why do peacocks dance in the rain? Science ABC. (2022, January 22). Retrieved February 7, 2023, from https://www.scienceabc.com/nature/animals/why-do-peacocks-dance-in-rain.html
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- HD wallpaper: Munroe Island, Kerala, India, islands. HD wallpaper: Munroe Island, Kerala, India, Islands | Wallpaper Flare. (n.d.). Retrieved February 8, 2023, from https://www.wallpaperflare.com/munroe-island-kerala-india-islands-wallpaper-brqaq
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- Nimje, T. (2020, July 10). 6 best places to see the snowfall in Shimla. Trawell Blog. Retrieved February 8, 2023, from https://www.trawell.in/blog/best-places-to-see-the-snowfall-in-shimla
- Top 5 palaces in Rajasthan that you can stay in. India.com. (2016, April 20). Retrieved February 8, 2023, from https://www.india.com/travel/articles/top-5-palaces-in-rajasthan-that-you-can-stay-in-3234767/
- Ladakh: Time to Celebrate The Land of Serenity, Adventure and Bikes! (n.d.). https://Www.thrillophilia.com/. Retrieved February 8, 2023, from https://www.thrillophilia.com/cities/ladakh
- Biswas, S. (2020, July 29). India coronavirus: “More than half of Mumbai slum-dwellers had Covid-19.” BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-53576653
- Ethan. (2007). A Night at Marine Drive !!! High Tea with Abhi. http://www.abhishekbakshi.com/2009/09/night-at-marine-drive.html
Xquist Life 
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