Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Calypso beat.
Pulse staccato, steel.
Primitive
some half-forgotten trait.
Maddening.
You rush to the door.
Bewitched. Stand still. Your blood sings.
They’re taking the idols for immersion
With due ceremony. Colors.
Deserting you like this to the waters? As the skies thunder? From dust to dust?
Why?
Tears. Grief.
The drumbeats fade.
I can never do that. Never.


(Y'day was Visarjan, the last day of the Ganpati festival when the idols are taken to the sea and immersed)

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

what`can you not ever do Ben?

austere said...

Keep a God in pomp and splendour for five days, all near and dear, and send him packing on the sixth, goodbye, nice knowing you, your time's done...

Portia said...

fascinating ceremony...i'm sure there is a purpose...?

Your blood sings.
you knock me over with these. you are not published yet are you?

(i wanted to quote the whole thing really, but it's right there...on your blog:)

Portia said...

by purpose, i was referring to "sending him packing on the sixth"

:)

AmitL said...

Soo true,Austy..I really miss the joys of the Ganesh Fest..just made up my mind-either I'll be back in Baroda,next year at this time,or,I'll take leave and come there to enjoy it, notwithstanding the shennanigans of politicians who try to create riots each time during this period.

austere said...

portia- yes, the festival period is over, so the procession and immersion, and return early next year pls...
absolutely awesome drumbeats.
nah portia you say the nicest things-maybe next year?

austere said...

Amit- mumbai aavo. its maddening, the enthu here.

Anonymous said...

"Keep a God in pomp and splendour for five days, all near and dear, and send him packing on the sixth, goodbye, nice knowing you, your time's done..."

Sometimes humans are sent faster.

austere said...

Very true.

Anonymous said...

Twas the day of his immersion three years ago that I departed India. Wow, I cannot believe it's been so long already. Seems like a month ago.

-P

austere said...

Come back already. :)