The Last Curtain

When blossoms glow with autumn’s fading dew And painted get with rainbow’s radiant hue, Opening up with the dawn’s dewy light, Ending the darkling nippy long night; Red and white Parijats1 when choose to fall In a bed of blossoms bewitching all, The Sapt-parnis2 when their fragrance spread, And whole neighbourhood when turns curious head; The woods when get nigh bare or leafless lean, Brooks choose to meander as if not keen, And the wintry chills when tend to portend, The aged year reaches eventful end; And heavens preparing to summon me Back, if or not I can that well foresee— My life’s autumn chooses when to unfold Unto cold winter—calling me nigh old, I may perhaps, what old eyes can, see clear That the hour of my end is drawing near, Me in grey wonder on last fall of falls, When my life’s saga its last curtain calls. ____________________________________________________ 1. Parijats: White or reddish yellow flowers predominantly seen around autumn. The blossom is believed in Indic lore to have been brought down from heaven during ancient times. The flowers fall off on their own, overnight, as if a bed-sheet is spread under this medium-sized tree. 2. Sapt-parnis: The darling of most plantations and gardens. The tree has green elongated leaves in a bunch of seven (sapta = seven; parnis=of leaves) , which always remain bright green all through the year. These flowers too blossom around autumn in a bulbous bouquet and are known for their heady fragrance that spreads far and wide. _____________________________________________________ - Musings | 04.12.08 |