Freeze This Moment Poem by AtreyaSarma Uppaluri

On the holy day of Vijaya Dashami*
After my ablutionary ceremony
And my obeisance to the Durga Deity*
Out into the open under a cloudy sky
I stepped, invited by the wind-swept greenery.
A call - through the glass windowpanes - so much hearty -

Not to lose myself in some aesthetic pleasure
But for some meditation in a good measure
On That, at the town of Greenfield in Wisconsin.
The strong and chilling draft welcomed me - so thrillin’

I stood up like a ramrod on the green lawns lush
By my home - and facing rows of trees and brush
High and dense in foliage – like a range of hills
Between me and that one of the overgrown rills.

The verdant splendour smiled on me – it’s so chirpy! –
With all its melange of multi-coloured canopy
I drew my arms up and folded my palms together
And closed my eyes to render my silent prayer…

Though done, and now of my environs more aware
I remained still, opening not my eyes to stare.
The whoop of the wind from across the woods would beat
Strong but not as to blow me down – a tactile treat!

The chilly transporting gust would sure have its sway
But not as much to freeze or frighten me away.
I drank gallons and gallons of the chilly blast
And in and out sucked the bounty – what a repast!

As if the green-touched beauties of the gust chilling
Did not satiate; the black and white clouds sprinkling
Their gentle drizzle, touched down like icicle lyre.
This rare meld - like never before - set me on fire!

How to celebrate it? How to chill down? –
This thrill of nature so free at its crown
Have a drinking bout? No, never at all.
Swill down cans of ale? No, it’s simply gall.
Sip lots of milk or tea? No, it’s no ball.

Let it howl and growl into my ears full
Let it wobble, buffet or down me pull
Let it freeze me into an obelisk
I won’t move or flinch or shrink back or slink.

Then, what’s it that you want?
Be a part of this draft!
Lose myself into it!
Let the moment be stilled!