The Desert Gypsy

Neither, did I ask her name

nor did she;

We were strangers to each other

nevertheless, she gave a lot to me;

A place to sit at her humble home,

grins, laughter and warmth of a motherly soul;

Walking towards her 

the sandstorm sounded 

like the flapping wings 

of an agile bird.

Sitting at the threshold of the hut,

A cup of chai for unwanted but welcomed guests was served 

Her wrinkles were deep,

the smile was sweet,

at peace with herself 

the aura gave comfort to me;

The eyes were calm like a silent sea

but deeper there was poverty;

A contented soul,

needy but a giver,

a woman after all 

was she.

Maheshwar

I dedicate a poem to Maheshwar which is my forever love.  

Maheshwar 

You always astound me with your beauty,

Skies like huge canvases, 

Sunsets painted in orange and pink,

fish in the water, friendly sellers

photographers and boatsmen.

Pleasing is the chants of the mantras, 

Soothing is the nights at the ghats,

You light up the lamp of the inner soul 

like the floating earthen lamps in the river 

removing the darkness of the fort. 

Ahilya Fort Maheshwar

6 March 2018 

Ahilya Fort Maheshwar

While watching the Maheshwar pictures on my laptop, I stopped scrolling and paused at this one. The woman’s loving eyes and the warmth of the moment made me think about the crossroads of life. 

We meet people, make friends and sometimes just exchange glances, a smile or hold hands. Maheshwar has always been one of my favourite places as I love to sit at the Narmada ghats in the evenings, watch the setting sun, birds moving towards their nests, give food to the fish, listen to the chanting of the mantras praising the Holy Narmada river. 

While walking down the stairs, I saw a woman climbing down the stairs of the majestic Ahilya Fort unsteadily. I clasped her hand tightly to give confidence to her shaky legs and unconfident gait.

The picture is a witness of her eyes pouring motherly love towards me. 

Whenever I visit Maheshwar the next time, my searching eyes would look for her to share a cup of tea with her or we would give food to the fish together by sitting at the ghats of the river Narmada. 

PC - @abuzar Your sensitivity to feel the emotions has given me a moment to cherish forever.