Homeward bound

Time for some rambling I suppose. I am writing this on my way to Chandigarh on the Delhi- Chandigarh high way. A typical hot Indian summer day, sun burning golden and yellow in the skies making everything outside look droopy and fatigued, bushes on the highway divider, trees, construction workers on the side road, and thick black twisted high tension cables crossing over poles every few feet away but sagging to dangerously low levels mid way through the poles. A bus carrying a bunch of lazy passengers, some sleeping, some trying to sleep, some talking in hushed tones and some just sitting looking out from the windows. Only things that look strong and happy to be present in the scene are the shadows of everything. Proud and inviting. Dark and unmoving (well yes, some moving too, of the things running on the highway).

I have always loved this journey mainly because of the long repeating stretches of tall eucalyptus trees with white trunks and beautiful green leaves and huge stretches of farms punctuated only by small villages and towns on the way. I see a lot of paddy this time. Vast pools of water about a feet high covering the paddy fields and a bunch of village ladies pulling out the plants gently as if pulling out every paisa of their living from deep under the waters. Carefully. Meticulously. For a moment, I wished I was there with them rooting out the paddy, experiencing what it takes and how it feels. Yeah I know, nice for a wish, isn’t it?

I am headed home after long. This time for a month long break, my longest break in all the 4 years that I have been out of chandigarh now. A lot to do and a lot to look forward to, topmost being the home made food and catching up with Sunny on so many things. The journey is almost ending now and boy! it feels so good.

It feels so good
to be homeward bound
in the warmth of my people
the familiar sound

Am on this good old bus
That goes on a long highway
I look from the window
And get carried away
By the paddy fields
And tall eucalyptus trees
Ageless, free from time
Dancing in the warm summer breeze
Any moment now, I will be home
Open the gates and call out my mum
My home, the only heaven I have known
Will absorb me like a water drop absorbs another of its own

Oh! It feels so good
to be homeward bound
in the warmth of my people
the familiar sound