Picture courtesy Delhiwaale, Hindustan Times
Come, sit under the amaltas
On it’s yellow carpet of flowers
Breathe in the fragrance of green
Breathe out …Oh! the sheer pleasure
Of the soul …the heart…the mind
Away from the harrowing grind
The softness of the petals tender
Moistened by a breezy painter
A sprinkle of yellow stars as though
Fallen to the ground …
Imbuing with colour the roads,..
… the walks…. the surround
The lightness of its touch …a tactile
Experience forget you may not
Feel the sparkle of the blue sky
Through the branches spread so high
Run your fingers wild on its aged
bark yet not withered in time
Whisper to its leaves a tangle
Listen to tales of lush redolence
Birds chirp like loquacious children
Hum of bees – no not a distraction
Gently speak to the soul resting by your side
Tired after a day’s work in this world wide
They are the dots in your orbit of life
As does the amaltas embrace them awhile
Let the city scurry past… you not hurry by
Come under amaltas a shade of such delight
No, don’t leave so quick…do not make haste
If you know not the amaltas life is but a waste
Trivia : *Amaltas or Cassia Fistula is also known as the Golden Shower Tree, Indian Laburnum, or Purging Cassia. It is native to the Indian subcontinent famous for its cascading clusters of vibrant yellow flowers that bloom in the summer. Amaltas flower lasts for roughly a week before falling to the ground, forming a bright yellow carpet, while the tree which is sturdier and has a life span of 30 to 40 years, remains in bloom throughout the summer season.” (Wiki)
Amaltas is the summer highlight of Delhi. The Amaltas lined arterial roads at the heart of the city are a delight to walk or drive through.
I commuted to school and later to the office through these tree lined roads but could never get time to enjoy sitting under the shade of the trees. The poem is an ode not only to the beautiful tree but also to those days gone by which I miss very much now.
A beautiful ode to the Amaltas and the memories it holds. 🌼 Your words made me pause and wander beneath those golden blooms, reminding me that the simplest moments often become the ones we miss the most. Lovely poem. 💛
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Thank you Rajeshwari. Yes, you are right. The memories of the simplest moments are so important.
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We have many amaltas trees lining our roads in Lahore too. Beautiful trees.
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Yes, they are beautiful, aren’t they?
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Very much so and thanks to you, I know their name now.
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I too didn’t know the name till I read the column by Mayank Austen Sufi with a beautiful photograph of the amaltas.
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Thanks for sharing 💛
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They are beautiful trees. I have had the chance to walk around parts of Delhi where I saw them in their splendour and even in the city of Bangalore we have our fair share. When they bloom, it looks quite like a fairy tale-the pitch perfect yellow adding brightness to the otherwise hot summer days.
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You are absolutely and beautifully summarised the whole scene. Thank you Parikhit.
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Fine imagery in this flowing poem
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Thank you very much Derrrick 🙏
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A lovely poem for these beautiful trees. Amaltas and Gulmohar are one of the blessings of summer.
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Truly
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Beautiful poem for the trees.
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Thank you so much Ganga. Delhi is now blooming with Amaltas. It’s a summer delight.
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