(The life of Padmashree K.J. Yesudas, the renowned Malayalam film singer of India is something phenomenal. It is part of history. He had a very humble beginning. The following poem relates to one of his early episodes. When he was called for a recording in Chennai during his early career in the 1960s, he hadn’t the amount to meet the ticket fare from Cochin to Chennai and a man from heavens helped him with a ticket. Here I am trying to catch the spirit of that episode.)
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The whistle is blown
The flag is finally flown.
And from the shores of yore
Begins a journey unto the hearts of generations.
Listening to the clatter of wheels,
Feeling for the distant lash of waves,
He cuddles up into a corner
Gathering within all the singing dales.
And the train picks up winds,
It is now catching up the clouds.
Out of the window he glances
And feels life as an endless dream.
Wheels play a rhythm
Hamlets whistle a song.
He hums unto the rising star
A tune deep out of his heart.
And he finally reaches the shores,
Meets the winds and waves at bay.
It was the beginning of an endless cascade-
A singer unto decades and beyond.
Behind and beyond the plains
Lay a thought of indebtedness,
A tale of sixteen rupees
A ticket from the heavens
A friend as large as the sky.
And reclining on his past
He now peeps unto his modest beginning.
The whistle is blown
The flag is finally flown.....
Before and beyond the winding tracks
Lay a throbbing heart,
A dream of soothing winds,
A song for all ‘morrows,
A dawn for all dawns.
But that ticket from the heavens-
It goes beond all richness, pastures and melodies.
A touching story in poetic glory! Thanks to Denis Mair who recommended this great read. (10)
In ELEGY IN A COUNTRY CHURCHYARD, Thomas Gray regrets that a man of talent was buried in obscurity. This TICKET FROM THE HEAVENS shows how a man's talents unfolded and touched many hearts. Both poems are admirable expressions of the Romantic spirit.
You have rightly absorbed the poem. Thank you for your inspiring comments.
Thank you for following a breath of soul-music as it stirred in dales, joined with the train's momentum, and cascaded into an era of phonograph and radio waves. That soul-music was able to board the train because momentum was never foreign to it. Perhaps a kindly stranger, looking into a needy traveler's eyes, realized this soul deserved to be helped on its way. Strangely enough, reading this prompts my own memories: I remember the eyes of a so-called beggar in a certain city in Kerala. She too had soul-music in her eyes. This poem reminds me that I missed a chance to be heaven's emissary.
I am moved by the fact that this poem could stir your memories. Thank you for your nice evaluation of the poem. Very impressive and thought provoking. I remain.
Well written tribute. I enjoy your writing style. Lots of music, rhythm, and flow. Thanks for sharing and congratulations.
The heavenly ticket, it's an eternal blessing, it's second to none!
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
This is really a touching tale with good use of imagery to capture it. It is wonderful.