[Verse] Ageless

The caress of morning sun
shimmers in her kohl-lined eyes
and wind-teased playful hair strands
like the back-water canals, ferry hope
Unmindful of over-crowded steamers’ hoots
conch invocations and azaan* calls vie for attention
Weather-beaten Synagogues peek
through closely stacked Churches
Coconut masts sway to panchavaadyam*
Weary naval ships dock in her lap
In her silhouette,
dissolve Chinese fishing-nets
and the sky-scrapers along the bay
Waves splash, prostrate at her feet
in deference, in obeisance
She defies age. The ageless beauty,
the Queen of the Arabian Sea

Vijay © 7th July, 2006


*azaan - Call for Namaaz
*Panchavaadyam - A musical ensemble mainly comprising of precussion instruments.