Of Beads, Bangles and Gods (Indra's Square)

Pic: Tashi Sherpa

It appeared -

On a blistering day

As I wandered afoot

Looking to capture

some exotic vestige

Ere this embattled town

shed all its pedigree

Like unneeded skin.

Amid the seeming siege

of some hybrid heritage

I chanced on Indra's square

Where a temple clanged

And gods were jostled

As always for easy favors.

I was here again and now

And just like before

Pic: Tashi Sherpa

I saw things, faces

I Heard the hum

familiar and soothing,

Of native brogue

Creatures in metal

Guarding God knows who

Peddlers of flutes

And vendors of flavours

Pushcart bargains

And Other temptations

Spicy and tangy,

As tasty as childhood

And new like morning.

In baskets and bins

The tomatoes nestled,

Hot peppers, fresh curd

And the Bangles winked

At copper and brass,

Pic: Tashi Sherpa

Where bicycled matadors

Below secret Windows

And crooked doors

Flirted and swerved

Past garlands of gold

And scarves of glitter

Where eyes exchanged

And hands examined

Where barefoot sentients

In natural devotion

Unpretentiously worshipped

With cymbals and song.

Where silent black statues

And lazy grey pigeons

Claimed estate

-In easy coexistence-

And So I walked

Under the eaves

Pic: Tashi Sherpa

Inside the din,

 

All Peaceful within-

This festive continuum

Of ancient routine .

It all seemed static

Yet forever pulsating,

Feverish and noisy

Yet friendly, homely,

Wondrous with  myth

Rich in history

 

Tashi Sherpa