Aahaa Chennai

Today's diary: Busy ants completing their project: the outline of a tree. Shh! Can you wait? I am not fully awake yet. The sky is a dull grey but I'm having fun peering at it, through chinks in the green canopy.

Expressing the views of those around... Humidity deserves an award for breaking previous records, with the rain yet to decide on a reappearance and the sun, embedding its forceful stamp, in every nook and cranny. Meanwhile, in the far corner, a statement is being made. What could it be? "Heat and humidity do not matter."

The venue: A school campus The race is about to begin. The whistle blows but where are the children? A little away... young heads are busy watching a spectacular scene. "Shh! Quiet!" whispers a voice, "I need to count." "They're having a meeting," insists an excited voice. "It's meditation," adds another. "They're... forming groups, practising the moves for putting up a show, allowing time for digestion to be complete, having an afternoon  nap." "I think there's something special in the mud," whispers a totally engrossed voice. The voices continue... Suddenly, the winged beauties flutter away but curious minds hang around, hoping they would return. A lone butterfly, on a nearby plant, a silent observer, seems to be saying... "I can fly but can you?"

The picture frame, high up and above, has been drawing attention. A certificate of appreciation... for the many many  tales, that spring to  mind, at first sight. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Fresh sprigs of green make it to the highest level. ⭐⭐ An innovative artist wins accolades for capturing the shiny aura. ⭐⭐ A takeover bid. Small grey specks have all the skills. ⭐⭐ A fading blue bids adieu, as its scintillating show ends .

Sometimes... a tree that's been there for long, tends to be ignored or is taken for granted and when it suddenly falls, after an overnight pounding, by  a combined duo  - the wind and the rain, the outpouring of emotions, visible inside my eye, would run to pages. There are moments, when, such feelings, have to be temporarily put aside, for it offers an opportunity to admire the thick foliage that would otherwise be high up, out of reach and examine the many delicate buds nestled inside, which, unfortunately, will never unfurl. The wrenching pain returns, as I imagine the manner in which it was torn off from the trunk, with what was probably a  loud, screeching noise, which was masked by the fierce thunderstorm, that raged outside in the middle of the night, whilst, I was deep inside... the land of  Nod.

The conversation went on ... The listener's eyes remained glued to the scene while her mouth moved, as the various parts were pointed out. Adult: Here are the roots. Child: Oooh! Adult: They call it 'the stem'. Child: Aah! So strong. Adult: See the branches spread out. Child:  Ha, ha!  Dancing to the wind. Adult: Touch and feel the leaves. Child: Shh! The ants are playing. Adult: See the baby buds Child: Open, open!  See me. Adult: A happy red flower. Child: Wow! May I touch it? Adult: Someone has seen it first. Child: Hey! I'm willing to share. Nature smiles... as endless tales are spun in its midst.

A cloudy day but... soft wings, agile feet, fair petals - collaborate. Sunny patches sing.

The soggy bougainvilleas have news to share: A dull, grey morning with a slight drizzle,  just beginning. The birds have gone missing.  Darkness creeps into the 'once sunlit' spaces. The slightly wet landscape savours the aura that portends rain. A 'rain induced' lethargic air seeps in through the windows. The water from the taps is different... the cold feel offers a peek into that 'fresh face' of Nature, bringing goosebumps. The once hot air has given way to cool draughts, which serve as smile inducers replacing those 'heat-weary' sighs. The wet walls  seem happy  to shake off the layers of dust. The sparkly sand shows off its new, 'more natural' texture. The 'new look' tree trunk is enjoying the water art. The tiny, 'musically inclined' puddles, vy with each other,  to grow bigger and muddier. The lingering flavour of steaming cups of tea and ho...

The trees are whispering... we need to do something to draw attention and their strategy has worked. The 'oohs and aahs,' are spontaneous. A 'bleeeding'- traumatized tree. Once upon a time - The Dino World

Shh! 'We're  busy working on a magic spell,' whisper the tiny droplets. Days pass by with no one noticing the difference, until one morning, a long  withered tree, given the thumbs down, shows glimpses of  magic - tiny green sprigs. Eyes exclaim... What a spell! Rain fast tracks Nature's revival project.

Today's jottings: An overcast sky and havoc caused by micro-sized allergens. The pollen are everywhere and so are those... watery eyes, runny noses, sneezing fits but someone... who remained hidden all of last night, enjoying the soft drizzle, has just now decided, it's time for a comeback and has begun releasing a pack of smiles this morning, insisting that, you be at hand to receive some.

"Jumped out of my skin," would suffice to describe the events which unfolded last night. Like a million flashing cameras, lightning opened its act, playing upon my nerves, lighting up darkened windows, making the room sway dizzily with psychedelic lights. Just when I thought it had stopped, a raging thunderbolt rattled the skies above, raining high decibel hammers that refused to die down, amidst a downpour that rose to  a crescendo, matching the tempo of the battle raging overhead, gradually dropping to soft 'now and then' notes, until thunder and lightning with a grim sort of determination, joined forces to gain a stranglehold, over the fast paced act in a dramatic fashion, making my head ache, lulling me into a restive doze. The morning sun's gentle  beams, playing upon my cheeks, whispered... I've brought something to calm those frayed nerves.

There is leaf litter strewn all over. The crow doing its morning rounds, has dropped white patches, here and there. The heat and accompanying humidity seem to hang around, refusing to leave. A lone 'attention seeking' crow, high up on its favourite, green swaying ledge, has been repeating its chorus line, almost hitting the half century mark since the first glimpse of dawn but all these grumblings lie forgotten, as I stand and stare from afar, enraptured, at what looks like a piece of coloured, patterned fabric, framed against a green background, adding depth as a glorious morning opens its curtains.

Once draped in sparkly, yellow blossoms but now, showing off a soft, green garb, offering, tempting patches of shade, for passersby on motorbikes, hidden perches for birds to indulge in endless chatter, twisted pathways for restless squirrels, to sharpen their scampering skills, slender branches, arching up towards the sky, for a gusty wind to display its prowess, a landmark that inevitably beckons, along with the morning stimulant - tea it remains, ever truly... a companion, I look up to. The  'Golden Shower' tree, waves its many green arms, whispering... welcome to my green kingdom.

"My favourite slippers are wet and muddy," grumbles a voice. "Shh! Never mind. Look down carefully. Your tiny seed has finally woken up," soothes another. A tale unfolds... The canvas above has a finished look. Darkness has filled in the gaps. The house turns silent. My eyes gaze outside, though the window mesh, trying to make sense of the blackened mosaic overhead, silent, except for occasional sounds from an almost 'pet-like' frog. Outside, the hot sand, cries, silently, for a long withheld lifeline. My eyes close and images - those bottles of hope - float, gently past, in my dream. Hours slip past... Sudden drum beats of thunder, humming the tune, 'gonna love taking the centre stage...' make tired eyebrows move. My eyes open. Softly descending raindrops, call out to darkness... 'am here to give you company.' Thunder agrees. Lightning follows suit. As dawn enters, the aroma of wet s...

Wind sends an invite. Soft, fluttery wings dither. Yellow, green or pink.

Shh! Will you listen? A, B, C, D.............Z Which alphabet should I choose to describe this 'will not budge' heat? The hot wind whispers. P. ..pulverize or B...burn. "Forget such dismal thoughts," whispers someone from the far corner, reminding me of the colour of vanilla ice cream. "The heat has brought me out to make you smile." The decision is made I choose 'S' ... Serenity.

Some green and yellow fruits, dot the leaf litter. A group of feathered friends have succcessfully accomplished their part and left. From then on, it is simply a matter of more and more growth, as those tiny n' tender neem saplings take shape, spreading over the area, their sparkly green colour, awakening many a tired eye, plus conveying a joint statement... we are ready for a celebration of LIFE, for the Van Mahotsav - a yearly tree-planting drive, a festive occasion too. Muddied hands are itching to begin. Spades, trowels,  buckets, caps and posters are lined up.