Mysore The City Of My Pride Poem by Vidya Pandarinath

CITY OF THE BUFFALO DEMON, MAHISH
KILLED BY THE GODDESS OF THE HILL -
DOES ANYONE SAY STILL
THAT A WOMAN CANNOT ACCOMPLISH?
THE SILENT YET SALIENT
GLAMOUR, PRIDE AND LOFTY HERITAGE
OF WARMTH AND COMPASSIONATE PLUMAGE,
OF ART AND CULTURE, RADIANT.

WITH THE SUN JUST BENEATH THE EAST
BREATHE THE LAKES, THE GREENERY AND FLORA
THE FIRM HILL HOLDS OUT THE LAURA
THINGS LITTLE AND BIG BEAT THE BEAST
OF SLEEP AND MOVE OUT IN QUEST
OF THEIR WORK - BIG OR SMALL
TO FEEL THE TASTE OF LIFE SWEET AND GALL
AND URGE THAT IN THEIR PLACE ARE THE BEST

OH! THE WIDE AND FREE EXPANSE!
THE PALACES, PARKS AND THE ZOO
OUT THERE IS THE RIVER SWEET AND NEAT TOO
AND PROMINENT IMPOSING TEMPLES FOR FANS
MARKETS OPEN AND IN ENCLOSURE
MOTLEY SELLERS AND BUYERS POSING,
HIGGLING WITH A GRIN OR BAGGING IN CLOSING
SHOUTS AND DIN, HEAPS AND PICKS IN EXPOSURE

JASMINE LOT, BETEL LEAVES, SANDAL INCENSE STICKS
SILK COLOURS, TOYS AND THE FESTIVAL OF EVIL DESTRUCTION
THE GREAT PROCESSION OF THE JUMBO FACTION
THERE IS EVERYTHING AND A LOT TO PICK
OLD AND MAGNA ABODES OF LEARING
THE ROYAL ROADS AND STATUES TO REMIND
THAT ALL HERE IS CLASS AND A FACET - FIND
WHEEL OF CULTURE STOPS NOT SINCE SET FOR TURNING....