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Friday, July 23, 2010

Walking Along the Beach

I was born in a coastal town of Kerala, then had a 5 year stay in Goa. Now I live 20 km from the coast and deal with the marine shrimp for my bread and butter. The beach is my favourite place and the sound of the waves is music to my ears. There were many a nights after Goa that I couldn't sleep for want of the sound of the howling wind through the cracks of my bedroom window. It slowly got replaced with the sound of the traffic!








The sea is tranquil as it washes gently,
Over the sands with a caress whisper,
The clouds play shadow casting shyly,
The sun dawns with an orange hamper.

The shore-crab peep out to dart and hide,
Claws held high like advancing soldier,
Into deep holes with a waterbed inside,
Stalked eyes out like periscopes peer.

The catamarans are pulled up safely tied,
Lanterns warm after the night out at sea,
The fish and shrimp in purse seine netted,
Air alive with smell of the morning tea.

The fisherwomen in gaudy prints bright,
With baskets perched daintily balanced,
Hips sway their walk like pendulum light,
Fresh catch to sell as the market opened.

I walk as the breeze in my hair flurries,
The jetty piles are my hunting ground,
Fresh green mussels hang in berries,
Their patina sheen has me spellbound.

I love the way they open very subtle,
Like lips parted in moments of passion,
Letting seawater wash over the mantle,
I sway with the music of the ocean






© Nalini Hebbar/openmind/2009 - all rights reserved
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13 COMMENTS:

Purba said...

Loved the way you described the ubiquitous mussel ....Patina sheen, like lips parted in moments of passion.

I can spend hours just staring at the Sea.

A Restless Mind With A Sensitive Heart! said...

Beautiful expression of such intricate details.

I visited Goa once and after that I hated to live in Delhi. Sea just mesmerises me.

Restless

Rashmi Nair said...

Beautiful! I never lived in any coastal area yet. Though I have visited many times. But the idea of living near by the shore is way too tempting. :)

bollywoodstylediaries said...

I never lived near the sea while growing up but now I love it after having spend a lot of time on beaches..This poem is so beautiful and evocative that I think I can actually smell the beach here in my office..

Vikram Waman Karve said...

Yes, there is nothing more sooting than the music of the ocean.
Lovely writing

Sharmila Ganguly said...

Beautiful play of words that makes one taste the salt in the sea.

rohit Iyer said...

Wow!! It was amazing.. the first few lines before the poem begins--> So true, Howling winds replaced by the sound of traffic!

I must say you're a super professional blogger. Photo credits is an idea I am going to "steal"' from your blog :P.
Nellore/Kerala/Goa-->Where are you from?? You're as diversified as my family is!
Great writing. Hope to see more
--
RoHiT...
dial-a-denial.blogspot.com

Nalini Hebbar said...

Thanks guys...I am happy you enjoyed this one...For one who has salt water running in her veins, this is description of home...:)

Anonymous said...

The only thing i can say about this poem is that, after reading it, i realised that its been like Years since i have enjoyed the fragnace of the sea breeze....

THis poem feels Alive!

Sahithya said...

beautifully written! I could literally feel the sea breeze and sand through my toes while reading it! :)

Chitz said...

nice one hear my gadget speak

Manreet Someshwar said...

Your lovely poem reminded me of a poem by Sarojini Naidu I learned at school - Coromandel Fishers:
Sweet is the shade of the cocoanut glade, and the scent of the mango grove,
And sweet are the sands at the full o' the moon with the sound of the voices we love;
But sweeter, O brothers, the kiss of the spray and the dance of the wild foam's glee;
Row, brothers, row to the edge of the verge, where the low sky mates with the sea.

You evoked something similar :)

Rajendra Raikwar said...

great efforts