Incredible India; my motherland

Click on top side pic for close up view

Ah, to this land of the monsoons
or for them the sun so soon
Yet for frozen land tourists,
a tropical warm boon.

Where bullock carts, stray dogs,
horse carriages, goats and cows
pedestrians, , bikes and rickshaws
scooters, trucks, motorbikes and cabs
all compete together,
in quirky jampacked traffic jams
On crammed roads you could
ram into bulls and rams

I've even spotted elephants
trotting about in the streets

So brakes forever screeching,
the cars forever honking, hooting
while beggers begged and pickpockets
could go a' looting on a footing

But where else you'd see,
ducks and ponds in the city
buffaloes wallowing in mud
without fear or pity!

Literally an urban jungle eh,
you'd think with a wink
and in many's esteem this land
shall never ever sink.

Then pass the huge expanses
of paddy fields and the rice farmers
and next come face to face
with those Indian snake charmers!

Ah, and the imposing edifice, Tajmahal,
one of the seven wonders of the world
No where else found, and the epic Himalayas
that also show up on India's map unfurled

Then a whole vast ocean with her name
The Indian ocean knows and salutes her fame!

As for me, meeting relatives there,
is the best best part
then shopping too in each
and every crowded mart
shopping like crazy,
filling my shopping sprees' cart!

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Reminds me a bit of what Trinidad was like when I was over there....the roads very thin and packed with all you mentioned.
Great description in this....Maybe poetry is the 8th wonder of the world?
j.

[S.zaynab.kamoonpury]

Wow yayy yeahh poetry is indeed humanity's wonder of wonders.
Oh Trinidad was like it too, even with buffaloes, rickshaws and horse carriages on roads??
I thought india was unique for that and even elephants too on roads sometimes lol.

[S.zaynab.kamoonpury]

And thanks soo much poet Jacob for the fine review.

[Arundass TP]

Beautifully written colourful poem. Excellent writing.

[S.zaynab.kamoonpury]

Thanks soo much for super feedback,

[Arundass TP]

Welcome friend

[DIVYA]

This is so great to read, dear girl Zaynab. I'm also from India and grew up in Dar so I'm lucky to have two beautiful motherlands. I noticed we even had common Dar friends on social media. Its wonderful that you appreciate India just as I love Dar. Planning to revisit this year. Keep writing.

Regards,

[S.zaynab.kamoonpury]

Woah super nice to meet you, Im in Dar and love the place since years, nice to know you have two homelands too, i also have Arabian Iraqi background too.
Thanks soo much for great comment,

[DIVYA]

Yeah. I think we both are friends with Mustafa Virani. He was my classmate. They were family friends till Late Mr. Mohammed Virani passed away and we returned to India. Those were wonderful days. I often think I want to retire in Dar. So nice of you to respond. Hope to meet you some day. 💐

[S.zaynab.kamoonpury]

Oh wow nice to know. Dr Mustafa is our neighbor amd my hubby's cousin but stays in UK mostly.
Yeah Dar is a great place to retire. India is fun and super for touring and shopping.
If you're a guy we can't meet up though as hubby is very possesive .

[DIVYA]

Lol, I am a woman, my dear. My name is Divya. Mention me to Mustafa if you ever meet him. He will know who I am. I grew upin Dar, went to the International School of Tanganyka and we lived in the Masaki area, on Hail Selasie road. Left Dar in 1991. Its literallt my motherland. I want to revisit badly. Tell me, is it safe for a solo female visiter nowadays? If it is, I'll come for a few days...Would love to meet you if ever I did.

[S.zaynab.kamoonpury]

Oh sorry i didn't check my mail earlier or i had replied faster.
Nice to know you're a fellow lady, super nice to meet you, yes Dar is super safe for solo traveling, i and my girls do it all the time.
I can't talk to Dr Mustafa or i had mentioned you to him.
Do you know Murtaza virani by any chance too?
Since you're a lady i would love to meet you.

[DIVYA]

As-salamu alaykum Zaynab!
I have heard of Murtaza Virani but not met him. I think he is related to Mustafa (cousin).
Its great to know Dar-es-salaam is safe for traveling. Its been so long since I left my childhood city. I am looking forward to visiting this year. I'll certainly message you if I visit. Keep writing and spreading the good word. Stay blessed.
🌹

[S.zaynab.kamoonpury]

Welcome dear w.s. Its always super to meet someone from India. Yes plz msg me somehow when you visit. Are you
only on this site? Ok take care,

[DIVYA]

Thank you for your kindness my dear. I am also on Facebook and will keep in touch. I will certainly inform you when I visit (Inshallah). I cannot wait to see my International School, Mzzizima and Shabaan Roberts Schools and my house on Hail Selasie road in Masaki. It must be sold or demolished by now.
Stay blessed, dear Zaynab. Hope to see you some day.

[John the Baptist]

A colorful picture of an ancient land. Though many aspects of the 21st century, such as cars, are mentioned, so is the Taj Mahal. India is a country of constant change.

[S.zaynab.kamoonpury]

Thanks soo much for super comment,

[Coyote Poetry]

A wonderful poem my dear friend.
"Then a whole vast ocean with her name
The Indian ocean knows and salutes her fame!"
I did like the above lines. One day, I would love to visit India. Touch and swim in the ancient places. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[S.zaynab.kamoonpury]

Thanks soo much for your feedback. Yeah do visit India its a fun place. Im settled in Africa though.

[Coyote Poetry]

Africa is wonderful. I went four times for food/water/medicine missions. You are welcome my friend.

[keith]

a wonderful tribute to the multi-faceted world you have as home ... your motherland!
such diversity it could be considered sensory overload
the world we live in is by no means perfect but it is what we have.
you have shown great respect and awe for your neck of the woods!

thanks for sharing your eloquent write
peace as always friend

[S.zaynab.kamoonpury]

Thanks soo much for your comment, India is my motherland but i have always lived and was born and settled in Africa . Cheers,