The Visitor

A visitor came calling this morning, Tap….tap….tapping  on my window; “Now who’s that So impatiently waiting, For me to open the door?” Tap…tap…tap….. Repeatedly, Furiously tapping away, Cocking his head to one side… As if to say….. “What’s taking you so long, honey? I need a room for a day!” Oh, welcome Mr. Tapper With a bright smile I say, My resort is spruced up and ready… You’re welcome…… Forever to stay! There’s a guest house for every visitor, With enough space for two, The granary is overflowing, And there’s a splash pool too! Courteous squirrel waiters All dressed in grey and white, Will serve you fresh nuts And wiggly worms To your great delight!

The black koel will entertain you With her husky trill, While fluorescent green parrots sometimes, Will join in at their will. So, welcome home Mr Tapper, Welcome to Garden Grille, I won’t charge a penny, Oh no, I never will! Be my guest Mr. Tapper, I’d love you to stay, And spread the word ‘bout my resort To your friends far away. When Mother Nature comes a-calling And she does so every day, My spirits soar With songs galore, As I join the myriad birds each morning! -            Falguni Chakravarty

Of The Langar System

                                                        Of The Langar System

In June 1900 the call did come

For the Relief of Peking Legations

The Brave Rajputs of the 3/7 Regiment

Set sail to honour the Proclamation.

 Carrying pots and pans, the Rajput Clan
In the galley hesitated……………..
                                           ‘Twas beyond their dignity,                                                             
To cook with a mixed community,
So saying, to bed retreated.

For two days they withstood the pangs
Of an empty stomach………
Add to that the sea sickness,
Oh! It was just too much!
                                                         Then out of the blue came their Saviour
                                                         Subedar Major Gurdatt Singh

                                                         Who, with Ganges mud proceeded

                                                          The hearts (and stomachs) of his clan to win.

To smear the galley of 'The Nerbudda'
The holy mud was used
The caste conscious warriors now,
To cook could not refuse!

                                                          The galley had been purified
                                                           Now there was just no harm

                                                           To eat in a Community Kitchen…..

                                                           And that’s how, “The Langar System” was born!

©Falguni Chakravarty
Joshimath, 1998

Gratitude

Gratitude

It was a vision that had brought me here

And the message being conveyed was crystal clear.

I was not meant to come here as a tourist….

Indeed, I had a mission to accomplish.

Facilitating many a smooth passage

Through the hallowed precincts of the Darbar Sahib….

Was it just a transit

From the sacred sarovar to the exit,

Washing away the impurities

That had accumulated without ambiguity…..

…..Over so many lifetimes?

Or was my soul, like a mighty river in spate,

Surging ahead in search of the ocean

Where it could finally pour forth the ecstasy 

That overwhelmed it,

That made its sheath quiver in bliss?

As the sacred shabads escaped softly through my lips,

My covered head bowed reverently in prayer,

The only words I heard myself say were,

I’m grateful to You, Waheguru,

With your divine blessings

I’m finally here!

© Falguni Chakravarty

Amritsar, 2011