India’s Jewel Poem by Ken e Hall

India’s jewel of welcome the Taj Mahal
Drapes its curtains of love in the palace of dreams
Histories monument pleasured afore my eyes
Many seasons have changed my India since I last saw you
Everything is wonderfully the same
As I alight the packed train, the British made toot toot and
The rattle of the wheels moving on brings memories
Of always leaving somewhere...I arrive
The hustle and bustle of Calcutta stands before me
Majestic in its multitude of humanity
Wonderfully weaving the threads of teeming life
Where its wealth lies within the poor who are
Carving out a life of happiness with a smile
They are the real jewel of India
They beat out sorrow
Like the washer woman beating out the dirt of their lives
God I have learnt some wisdom here
The rise of living standards is creeping across the land
The middle class is booming the poor will slowly rise.
The waft of steaming rice and odours of a thousand spices
Lull my taste senses as I ride the rickshaw path.
The heady fragrance of jasmine greets me as I
Arrive at an old friend’s humble home,
Women cook over a clay oven outside at the rear,
Pictures adorn the walls
Rama and his wife Goddess of fruits of the earth,
Lakshmi Goddess of prosperity with Ganesh the
Elephant-headed God of good fortune.
Simply poor religious people generous with their happiness,
You feel the love and dedication of the people
Wonderfully weaving the threads of teeming life.
As I bid farewell I will hold my memories of my visit,
Adversity smothered with lotus leaves
Memories close to my heart...