The winding road lined with mango trees,
ripe yellow mangoes swing with the breeze
blowing from the village, with it bringing
the smell of the delicious lunch waiting.
The children in their best clothes run past
to the stage set up in the temple square.
The drums pickup tempo as the time’s near
for the wedding to start at the auspicious time.
Their excited screams ring loud and clear
over the piercing sound of the shehanai.
The bride and groom now in the square
smeared with turmeric and vermilion.
Dressed in bright silk with gold weaved in
beautiful necklaces adorn their necks.
What a handsome couple chosen are they
to grace this important day in the village.
The temple priest with bell in hand
chant the Vedic-verses that vibrate the air.
Now its time to send off the couple glad
on their honeymoon at the strike of noon.
The crowd moves on to the banks of the pond
and three women release the frogs two
into cool waters that waits to celebrate
the union of today’s important couple.
All eyes look up at the sky above
the delayed monsoon that spells doom.
This wedding an offer to the rain gods
a symbolic plea, a bribe if you may
anything for the skies to bring the rain
to fill up water in their pond of life.
Venue: Chhindwada, Madhya Pradesh, India
© Nalini Hebbar/openmind/2009 - all rights reserved.
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