Sunlit Summers Poem by Umasree Raghunath

YPF8- SUMMER SASHAYS
Poem Title: Sunlit Summers

The sun blazes high painting skies of endless blue,
Summer vacation calls a time we all pursued
Mangoes ripe and golden dripping with the sun,
Lush green trees whispering summer has begun.
Cousins gather ‘round with laughter fills the air,
Playing cricket and chasing dreams without a care.
In the mornings we run to the beach's soft embrace,
Waves kiss our feet while the breeze plays its race.
Movie nights and with family under the starlit sky,
Gazing at constellations as the night passes by.
Picnics on the shore with snacks all around,
Barefoot in the sand as our joy knows no bounds.
Visiting grandparents and hearing stories from the past,
In their warm embrace as every moment seem so vast.
Going around as temple bells rings echoing in the air,
Seeking blessings with devotion and free from despair.
Hill stations beckon with their cool and gentle breeze,
Trekking the trails new among towering trees.
Exploring new hobbies with curiosity untamed,
Summer camps begin where friendships are framed.
Chasing our pets and playing in the backyard,
Life is a game with memories unbarred.
New books and brown covers arrive as fresh pages to turn,
School uniforms and shoes ready for the next year to learn.
Mango Lassi in hand as we sip with delight,
Fresh sugarcane juices flow from morning till night.
Tender coconuts straight from the trees cool in the sun,
Ice apples bites with the sweetness begun.
Mango treats chilled and pulpy pure bliss,
In every bite a moment of tingling sour kiss.
Making mango pickles with red chillies and spice,
A South Indian feast so warm and nice with hot rice.
Traditional mud-pot cooking as the aroma fills the air,
Vibrant curries and home-made ghee rice beyond compare.
Dinner in moonlight at the sunsets as the day fades away,
Summers in India is where joy will always stay.
Stories of the past whispered in the summer breeze,
Ancient tales of gods under the banyan trees.
Folk dances and puppet shows at dusk where spirits come alive,
In every beat of the drums and trumpets our traditions thrive.
The koel sings its song heralding summer's grace,
Echoing through paddy fields as the seasons we embrace.
Grandmothers tell tales of summer rains and floods,
In the heat of the sun heat boils and infections feeds.
Rituals of cooling with neem and sandalwood,
Healing traditions passed down so ancient and good.
Fireside stories where we sit and dream,
In the glow of embers as we find a team.
Kite flying festivals with colours in the sky,
As the warm winds of summer blow by.
Bitter gourds and curd a remedy passed on,
A taste of summer where traditions live on.
Chilled water in earthen pots as a cooling grace,
Summer in India is an eternal embrace.
Family bonds grow strong with every day spent,
In the heart of summer our spirits are in higher tent
This season of laughter where dreams take flight,
In the warmth of our country everything feels right.

18 Mar 2025