Within Me

Happy Birthday my dear Valley!

The years breathed in your vast expanse

Looking closely, deeply, intently

At the nuanced charm of nature

For which you always created a context,

Made me realise that you no longer exist separate from me

You are in me.

I have discovered you every day

In things around me

Within me

Cheerfully, Gratefully, Wistfully

Floral clusters of Kadamb

Taunted me a month ago

Such resemblance to the virus-with-its-spikes

Ah! Isn’t this the same Kadamb

That was planted in the Amphitheatre on Valley’s last birthday

When we remotely watched the planting ceremony

The same virus holding us at bay?

Divya