Thoughts On A Fallen ' Paarijaatham ' Flower. Poem by sundaram chandrakalaadhar

thoughts on a fallen 'paarijaatham ' flower.

&

i was wading through my vague thoughts

as i walked along the roadside-

i came to senses with a sudden start-

o god! i was about to tread on a small flower

full of grace and simple beauty with a mild fragrance-

it is considered a holy flower;

it is 'paarijaatham' or ' pavazhamalli '

with one 'cm' orange stalk

and six perfectly merging white petals-

there always seems to be a swirl frozen on its petals

resembling the wheel-like weapon of gods-

memories of bygone years visit crowding me

whereupon we, brothers, rushed to gardens and groves

to gather these lovely flowers

with the greediest arms encircling in whirls

to corner these gems outwitting other valiant competitors

as they lay spread like mats on the ground

while rained in blossom-showers over our heads-

we also had gentlemen agreements among boys

not to invade the territories of others not so clearly marked out-

and to offer duty bound to our father

for his daily morning worship-

yes those were the cheerful days

as if on an expedition in the cool dawn hours

waiting impatiently for the 'keyman ' to unlock the premises-

why this flower blossom stealthily at night

with none to enjoy its fragrance and beauty?

why its life is so short-lived?

why even the whisper of a gentle breeze knocks it down?

o tree! are you so heartless to disown your kids

like some soulless mothers of their illicit infants?

or do the stars order that these star-children

also to depart at the invent of the dawn?

o tiny flower! ever you kindle sweet memories

of our joyful association from ages past-

blessed i am, o charming friend,

i have ever my rebirth as a child at your sight!



-s.chandra kalaadhar