India’s Jewel

India’s jewel of welcome the Taj Mahal Drapes its curtains of love in the palace of dreams Histories monument pleasured afore my eyes Many seasons have changed my India since I last saw you Everything is wonderfully the same As I alight the packed train, the British made toot toot and The rattle of the wheels moving on brings memories Of always leaving somewhere...I arrive The hustle and bustle of Calcutta stands before me Majestic in its multitude of humanity Wonderfully weaving the threads of teeming life Where its wealth lies within the poor who are Carving out a life of happiness with a smile They are the real jewel of India They beat out sorrow Like the washer woman beating out the dirt of their lives God I have learnt some wisdom here The rise of living standards is creeping across the land The middle class is booming the poor will slowly rise. The waft of steaming rice and odours of a thousand spices Lull my taste senses as I ride the rickshaw path. The heady fragrance of jasmine greets me as I Arrive at an old friend’s humble home, Women cook over a clay oven outside at the rear, Pictures adorn the walls Rama and his wife Goddess of fruits of the earth, Lakshmi Goddess of prosperity with Ganesh the Elephant-headed God of good fortune. Simply poor religious people generous with their happiness, You feel the love and dedication of the people Wonderfully weaving the threads of teeming life. As I bid farewell I will hold my memories of my visit, Adversity smothered with lotus leaves Memories close to my heart...