Aahaa Chennai

Awaiting my turn for replating my armour of green. Meanwhile... soaking in the greenery around, the atmosphere echoing Shelley's lines "If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?"

Never fear... I tell my ilk. Tiny and delicate we may be but even caught amidst the more exotic types we can hold our own. And we do spread the flavour and fragrance far and wide... adds the banner of the vintage Neem Fan Club.

Soaring up high I soldier on proudly displaying my varied scars. They are but milestones in my growth...uphill.

A bad knock A depressing sight shouldn't dampen your enthusiasm. Other avenues beckon...

I've been busy mixing and dabbing hues all over my wide canvas. Going all out to impress those seasoned urbanites hooked  to their fancy gadgets. The stage is set for a spectacular show as dusk rolls in. The theme here is 'going wild with colours'. Ah! That's right. You do find scenic touches in teeming concrete jungles if only you'd care to look into 'Nature's Studio' - open at all times.

I may be fading but I think I'd rather call these my 'golden moments' coz they are filled with green memories. Don't write me off coz I am still a force to reckon with.

'Mother Nature' is busy at work: I've laid down a bright yellow layer, an eye-catching. natural carpet for your tired n' aching feet. In return... I'm hoping to get a layer of protection for me and my family, from kindred spirits. Can you see me pointing to my vulnerable, majestic looking trees?

An enticing view: You start dreaming and counting... 1,2,3,4......12,13... You imagine biting into delicious tangy chunks, relishing a spread of pickles, gulping down the juice, carrying a basketful of  treats. Not all your dreams will come to fruition but some will. Keep dreaming and shaping the path towards the destination.

We are not your pampered, potted, ornamental type yet we do have our pride. We grow anywhere amidst clutter or chaos. Be it rocks, stones, brambles, rubbish or debris, lil' flowery smiles peek out coz we're strong willed, confident, persevering, plus... we always  bounce back from oblivion.

Hello! Meet me in my new avatar. A rustic seating readied just for you. My brand  new coat of paint does draw attention although I do prefer my earlier earthy brown and cheery green hues. Can you hear me singing? 'Those were the days...' I guess my voice is lost in the din of traffic. Know what I am really missing? It's a five letter word. W-A-T-E-R

I've been wanting to do this for a while. After days and weeks of swaying this way and that I've finally done it. Shh! I am busy. Getting to know my neighbours. I sense diverse shades and mixed configurations but the generosity of blooming smiles across the divide makes my day.

After moving here and there, after a lot of stumbles, I've finally arrived. Hear me shouting it aloud, just found my... N-I-C-H-E. A bit of soul searching is  on. My mind is made up. I've decided to stick on here. I foresee a brilliant future marked by richness of growth, scaling greater heights, the prize being...satisfaction.

Some lessons on managing a stuttering startup. Plenty of hiccups enroute... invasive bugs, periods of drought, snail like pace of growth. Riding on a 'no stepping back' theme, personal care continues and the first flecks of light appear. which soon swells into a mind boggling  haul.

The boisterous wind while pushing me down is singing a merry tune... 'chin up, chin up.' My back is bent double. Despite traipsing all over  the sand, my fragile blossom has woken up and nods a wan 'hello'. A supportive  stick would bring back the spring in my step and the pink in my cheeks.

Behold nature in a mysterious, breathtaking mode. Holding tight... will not let go. Can you guess why? Affinity for a fellow being.

Back then, there were just a few of us. I could relax. There was absolutely no feeling of being hemmed in. In recent times... the crowd has swelled. Sometimes it seems like I've been submerged. My freedom is gone. Thanks to my inner resilience I've waded through that. And now I can proudly say, I've learned to adjust gracefully and live with my counterparts.

Oh no! The periodic assessment is on. You may not see it but I sense... an invisible tremble of fear. Let's begin. Colour combination- 100% As per the rule book- 100% Appearance- 100% Variety- 100% Growth- 100% Value for money- 100% Gathering eyeballs- 100% Hey! Look below. What about my performance? Tenacity-100% Cheeriness-100% Spunkiness- 100% Fighting spirit- 100% Improvement shown -  100% Individuality-  100% Creative bent- 100% Thank goodness! The evaluation is done with. I salute you for the encouraging words. A secret news. The icing on the cake... Braving the odds - 200%

A shade of stunning yellowish green stands out amidst the other usual tints of green, refreshing glazed eyes looking dead tired, caught in the heat and dust, after hours spent gazing at lit up digital screens. No doubt you'll exclaim I look healthy and strong but I will fare even better when I am given space to grow. Coz its true and I emphasize it again and again... I do have the potential to grow.

Fluttery, dancing, sprightly butterflies make me sigh... How time flies! From... blowing balloons which go 'pop' in an instant to flying those 'I-simply-refuse-to-fly' kites. From... days filled with moulding unshapely mud pies, messy sessions of finger painting, crazily 'curious' days... amassing golden leaves and seeds, creating sticky artwork that leaves adults in tears. From... whispering  funny secrets, splashing water amidst squeals, presenting pouting pink lips thanks to licking lollipops, jumping upon sand castles while collecting seashells, discovering a 'bear shaped' cloud, talking nonsense to the beaming stars while beckoning a cheery moon. From... yearning for claps while preening as  'dressed up' grandma before a sly 'winking' mirror, holding sway as a stern teacher over a class of errant pupils... dad being enrolled as one or simply trying out mum's dresses as a wannabe fasionis...

I've been looking for a more challenging moment when I'll be pushed to my limits and here it is. The level is no doubt high but I will try my best. Let it not be said... I did not try hard enough.

Ah! A momentous day. The new visitor has arrived. Hidden amidst the foliage, away from the heat, the very curious butterflies, those noisy squirrels running about, the 'all surveying" clever crow, the 'cannot-escape-us' ants clammy hands eager to pluck, lil' fingers wanting to cosset, the new visitor to the garden lies in wait. It is time for the revelation. Ah! A unique one indeed. Hello! Look below. I helped create this visitor. Usually, I would be an empty pack lying alongside thousands of  such discards filling up the trash bins.

A surfeit of lemons stare from the basket. The outcome, inevitably, glasses of refreshing lemon juice, grandma's red or yellow pickle a tangy drip drip added to stews, dals, rice, plus lemons distributed to one and all. Looking thankfully at my lemon plant, I notice a difference. Leaves gathered together, almost like being stitched. Upon closer look... a crisis situation. The trouble maker arrives, his troops follow. The result...in a word...SCARY The gathering gets busier. Decision is made - ravaging troops to scatter all over the garden. The lionhearted lemon plant stands incredibly brave, knowing help will arrive. Has weathered many a storm, a jumble of ups and downs. High up in the sky above, the dark clouds holding sway, seem to have melted away.

Upon sighting the lonely soul words slip out... sturdy looking, can survive rough conditions, and  carry on for years. Come rain or shine, it'll always be there, dull but dependable, and even those marauding insects shy away. An unusual shape that stands out, watch it growing taller, even as the hot sun takes its toll on the more fragile green neighbours. Ah yes! Coming to those negative points. Not appealing to the eye, detracts from the beauty of your beguiling ornamentals, the crooked leaves and thorns makes you want to conceal it. The heart of the matter is... let the positive vibes the positive energy, that positive 'wonderful' feel slip out first. Psst! A secret. With some help, even the 'negative' becomes positively... blooming. Cheers!👏

Deftly tucked away, far from the endless honking, smoke spewing vehicles, dust, crowds, plucking hands and nibbling teeth, I am feeling zippy, despite crouching on the edge. Just a matter of making do with available resources and  add to this... my sinews are made of sterner stuff! Watch me clinging tight for dear life, while relishing the idea of an element of drama or danger as compared to my brethren, yet cheerily singing a green song... kudos to a survivor. See me happily engaged in watching  curious eyes moving upward, gazing, lil' hands pointing wondering how... I  am enjoying an 'exalted' moment. Coo,coo! The pigeon cleaning his feathers on the nearby windowsill cooes in agreement.

You'll no find no desks here. Neither a blackboard nor a smartboard. No chalk or duster but nevertheless call it a quaint classroom, teeming with unexpected surprises. Fellow classmates are the bold butterflies, the bellicose bees, curious squirrels, talkative birds and hardworking ants. From tender buds to exquisitely crafted flowers, to the beginnings of wee fruits, to  lil' fruits proudly growing up, to exciting bunches of lemony delights, to a hidden giant nudged out gently a 'LESSON' unfolds. Nature has thrown open  the doors of her glorious classroom. Uff! A hot day. The gentle sea breeze laughs as she swings by.