For this week’s Sunday Trees I have a really bindaas one π
Covered
from top to toe
They cry foul
As they do
when uncovered
turn
a deaf ear to
the unpleasable world
take a leaf
from me
dance
to your song
as you like
however
you like
Tag: Nature
WPC: Life Lines
The Daily Post’s Weekly Photo Challenge this week is Lines. And guess what suddenly all I can see are lines π I had to draw a line at the number of photos I dumped on unsuspecting visitors π
Let’s start on a high note okay?
Lines of wine bottles and delicacies to soothe the sugar cravings
Night lights and lines in a typical Indian Metro city. Any guesses as to exactly which city? Nope not Mumbai or Delhi π
Petals lined up in a neat circular pattern. That reminds me, enough of interiors! Let’s get hot and dirty.
The bare branched of the Plumeria or the Frangipani trees draw intricate lines in the hot summer sun.
One such tree though not of the trees which whiled away the time drawing lines π This one is busy shooting lines at impossible angles that are in the process of being smothered by a green rash π
These Canna leaves have such interesting lines and am enjoying watching them blossom and grow with each watering.
This caladium leaf could easily be mistaken for playing host to a giant pink spider. Don’t you think so too?
Not just in life but in death too the leaves leave messages for us. What do you think it’s trying to say?
I think it is saying C you Soon π
Have a wonderful weekend unmarred by any lines on your brow π
View From the Top
This week, I have this really tall one for Becca’s Sunday Trees
the young uns
rustle and strain
eager to also
brush shoulders
with the sky
buffeted by winds
engulfed
in icy silence
bare branches
send a whisper
on a leaf
the sky
is just as far
from here
as from there
Β
it is not about
how high you are
it is about how
deep you are.
Hark! She Speaks
This week for Becca’s Sunday Trees I bring one that has probably witnessed history that continues to hold significance today – from the precincts of the famous Chittor fort. I have previously shared several visuals from this place earlier as well but this particular tree overlooks the Sati sthal on one side and Jauhar kund on the other. I could not bear to take photos of the place where women burnt themselves along with the dead bodies of their husbands or jumped into it for fear of rape and slavery by plunderers and victors of wars.
Hark! She Speaks
I can tell you
tales of brave
helpless women
Sending off their men
to wage battles
of honor and pride
Fasting and praying
for his victory
and
his long life
They were but
One soul,
one body.
If he died, she would
burn with him
if he lost, it was Jauhar,
for her
and her children
As the spoils of war
it behooved her
to embrace death
to protect her
dignity and honor
and
save them
the dishonor
of failing to protecting her.
Times have changed
The world has progressed
They educate her
indulge her
pamper her and
cheer for her as she shatters
One glass ceiling after another
But under the sheen
lurks a beast
that seeks to
subjugate her with
attitudes and mentalities
that are passed off
as our culture and
sanskriti
All said and done
it is still her duty
to uphold their honor
And his right to defile hers
it is her duty to bear it silently
to shield their bestiality
so that they can continue to
hold up their heads in society
She is still blamed
and shamed
Be silent
Or be silenced
remains the
unsaid mantra
Since the beginning of time
they have
hacked my branches
stripped me bare
And with cruel knives
carved out love notes
on my body
over and over
again
but did I die?
Did I hide nakedness?
Did I hide my face?
Why do you?
Silent
unyielding
unflinching
unapologetic
existence
is my DNA
What is yours?
Life and Death
As I come out of my shell and explore my surroundings I canβt help but notice a unique seasonal feature around these parts. Spring and fall seem to coexist. Leaves carpet the roads and mounds of leaves dot the sides of the roads until they are carted off to their final resting place. And yet gardens are abloom with a riot of colors β pink purple yellow and magenta. The peepal tree outside my office is a case in point. It is almost bare with a few green leaves determinedly hanging on until they turn yellow and reluctantly make their way down to whence they grew to such dizzying heights. And yet whilst this tussle is on, a new unruly batch has already sprung up gung-ho and eager to make their mark in this world. I have been feeling too inhibited to click this particule tree but I did mix and match some photos in an earlier post β Peepal in Spring.
For this post I have captured a few contrasting images from the world around me. Come scroll with me…
Clutching at straws
Brilliant and defiant in death.
Life towers over and mocks at death – it is not for me!
Yet some die before their time
While others bloom despite all odds
Even when there appears to be no hope or escape
Only when we accept that ups and downs, life and death will happen can we move on and live life as she deserves to be led – wholly completely, entirely and unabashedly.
Wish you all a wonderful day.
The Journey Within
I missed Becca’s Sunday Trees but here I am on Tuesday. Have a wonderful day people!
Skipping along the dirt road
she stopped to
stare and ponder
Poor old tree
No respite
No escape
Imprisoned
Forever and ever
The tree swayed with gentle laughter
A single curled leaf
Twirled its way down upon her head
Little one
Not all journeys are without
If you would
but look within
Peepal in Spring
The Peepal tree or the Ficus religiosa (sacred fig) is a common tree and I seem to see one no matter where I go. Except when I want to photograph one π¦
But this time I got lucky or rather created a bit with some mix and match π
Can you see the massive windblown and rather harassed looking tree in the background? That was taken just under 3 weeks ago.
And look at it now – it is as if it had never been bare.
I also managed to snap some lovely fresh colorful leaves growing at the roots of a massive dour staid Peepal π
And one more, simply because I couldn’t resist – purple leaves too! And to think I spent all my life around them. What on earth have I been doing all these years?!!!
Sometimes,
a cleansing wash
is not enough
and one must
shed the old
and
start anew
CB&W: The Bike Challenge
Okay so this week for the black and white challenge, Cee wants bikes or anything related to two wheels. Initially I thought I had only two photos but rifling through my archives I was surprised to find how many bikes had crept in without my knowledge! Good for me and them π
A surreptitiously taken photo of the fascinating insides of a bike in a busy marketplace.
The good old bicycle, the lifeline for many. I used to love cycling as a child and often wish I could cycle now as well, but I feel shy and embarrassed.
This one I have shared before, perhaps some of you remember. Quite an eye-catcher right?
A front view with minimal color. Which one do you prefer?
On the streets of Udaipur, while admiring a camel with its nose in the air.
The car and bike halt deferentially as the camel made its way sedately across the highway π
A bike parked near a distillation flask used to prepare rose essence.
Two bikes near a massive gulmohar tree (at least the leaves look like that). The creepy roots are fascinating aren’t they? Oops I forgot the bikes were supposed to be the focus!
Hmm not sure if those are the same bikes as in the previous pic. But the tree is definitely different – such character don’t you think? I’m fascinated by how trees don’t seem to have any requirement to follow rules. Anything goes and each to her own is their mantra. Yet each is particular and conscientious about fulfilling their CSR (corporate social responsibility) for the less fortunate. By just being, they replenish the oxygen in the air – isnt that amazing?
Tree Cheers to them.
Thanks for visiting and have a wonderful week.
Different Shades
I missed Sunday Trees last week as I was busy with shifting (but I did post lots of trees (and leaves) but I’m back this week with a couple of photos of the same tree one early morning and the other a bit later in the day. Have a look.
Looks like night doesnt it? But trust me, the sun was right behind the tree allowing me to block it even if for a little while. The tree caught my eye for two reasons – the lighting and the funny bushy stumps/arms. And of course it was tall and being an Eucalyptus tree it reminded me of home. But yet the leaves seemed different and not so long and pointy. So which one do you prefer? Me? I still haven’t made up my mind π
Do you see
how well you see
and what you see
is subject to which
side you are
CFFC: Leaves and Trees
Whew! I almost missed this fun foto challenge of Cee’s! And my favorite topic too – Leaves and Trees. And I have discovered a recent fascination for leaves as well so picking and choosing was quite a challenge. Hoping that you will enjoy my selection.
Let’s begin with an assortment of leaves, mostly teak leaves.
Just trying for some perspective here – they are huge arent they?
I was fascinated by this find and carried it inside for some special treatment
A collection of dried Ashoka tree leaves.
Banana leaves against a cloudy evening sky
Eucalyptus tree standing tall against the litchi trees. Don’t miss the fair elbows!
The greens attempts to tone down the exuberance of the reds
Next I have a really batty tree for you. Yes! those black things are bats waiting for darkness to fall.
Perhaps she dropped her leaves because she didn’t want any hanger-ons – what do you think? Did you notice her pose? Perhaps the stone sculptors of ancient India took inspiration from her kind. And before you scroll down – look! Mango blossoms – the prize for the heat and dust!
A golden tree by the road
A mystery tree with strange tendrils hanging down like some exotic jewelry. Anyone know which tree? Ferdi?
The last one standing at the Chittorgarh fort. Oh the stories it could tell
This one’s having a really bad hair day π Or perhaps it has seen some really hair-raising stuff in its heydays. After all this is the place for committing jauhar and sati.
I clicked this patch of clover leaves hoping to find a lucky four-leafed one at leisure. No such luck yet – what about you?
All neat and tidy, ready to toe the line and follow rules and regulations with not a hair out of place.
And then we have this place where there’s no sense or order, each to her own to be as she likes no questions asked. Which do you prefer?
And finally the Sun kisses this one good night π
Thanks for visiting and sharing your favorite one!
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