An evening in my village

An evening in my village

Comes an evening
with its crimson-colored painting
over the horizon and the sky
picturesquely captivating to the eye
reflecting on the waves of water
in the ocean the lake and the river
along with the setting sun’s reflection,
waves multiplying the art to many a billion
to glorify the artistry of divine creation.
Sets, the mighty sun
fading its Illumination
to give rest to beings, living
jaded over their day-long working
save some beings with night vision
rest they in a day despite illumination.
The flock of birds on their nest ward return
flying in groups in the sky in a necklace pattern
as if with a mission
to adorn the setting sun
as their gratitude to pay
for its blessings on them for the day.
stars peep to rise
in infinite, minute in size
to ornament the sky
at times hide under moonlight
in humility, they surrender without a fight
despite astronomers yelling otherwise
that compared to the moon they are much bigger in size.
From grazing field cows run
tolerate they can no longer the separation
from their calves beyond a day-long duration.
Moos of cows and calves harmonize in vibration.
An end of pathos and beginning of happiness
for everyone, it is an evening thrill of sweetness
for any breed the mother and its child’s union
after a long separation is for all a divine elation.
unique is an evening with, such occurrences
cherish one in village such evening experience
In heard return cattle’ sfeet dust
envelop magnificently the earth's crust.
Comes with it the hours of twilight
robbing every nook and corner of the light,
from the branches and leaves of a tree
darkness expels light robbing of sight to see.
With the setting sun going behind the horizon
withdrawing from the earth's surface its illumination
the din and bustle of the day
in the evenings subdue and decay
unlike the present-day
with artificial light’s role play,
bringing tranquility for man to sleep and rest
thus rural villagers' nature has blessed
Evening hour witnesses the period of transition
when Mother Earth gets a transformation
from the grip of a maddening day
to a peaceful night to meditate and pray
to peaceful rest from the day-long woeful plight,
to pitch darkness from blinding bright light
from irking sound to serene silence
witnessing many such differences.
The crowing of cock and caw of crow
is the time to get up, all villagers know.
on their calls get up they
to proceed to the field for the day
with bullocks in pairs, well-fed
to attend to jobs many planned ahead
to get good yield is their aim
for bad luck, themselves, they blame.
The evenings give them respite rest
so also to bullocks who start to protest.
in a hurry, they return home for evening deeds
and take up some hobbies as their liking leads.
some go to a place
where older generations grace
to listen to discourses of wisdom
till late hours despite tiredness, continue some.
some to go to the river
to catch fish to add flavor
to the main course as side dishes
cooking the way one wishes
enjoying the sports of fishing
and having a river bath, to get rid of sweating.
Make, some traps to catch fishes
also for rabbits, and birds,, to trap them for dishes
artistic and crafty, those, make they
out of bamboo canes, grey.
Weave some, mats to sleep and rest
with collected material from the forest.
some, in groups, go for songs and music
in general, those are the prayers, basic.
These hobbies continued they, over generations
These are carried out with a little illumination
within the evening hour spanning two hours or so
beyond the time to bed, they have to go.
A few job makers to meet the committed target
continue their jobs to meet the deadline set
so the cultivation does not fail
and the users for failure do not wail.
Ladies at household manage with a little light
finish their household work and cook for the night.
Children under darkness fear
hide on the lap of grandmother
frightened by howling that jackets utter
birds from roof bamboo those awkwardly flutter
the flickering light of the cremation ground
from the distance of darkness Grandma’s ghost sound
thus extract promises from them by the grandmother
to be disciplined and study obeying the order.
After the evening at the early part of the night
villagers go to bed and none is visible in sight
the village becomes silent and serene,
except a beast’s sound none is seen.
“ Early to bed and early to rise
makes a man healthy wealthy and wise”
the eternal truth nursery kids thus cite.
Early to bed, the villagers follow every night.
The evening has unique role-play
bridging the night with the day
bringing the earth under darkness cover
ensure the commotions of the day are over.
Evenings then at the village, I covet
after a tiresome toil well-earned rest
with a serene atmosphere around
without disturbing light and sound.
the evening with its plethora of pleasure
in the core of my heart, I treasure
flickering kerosene lamps a few
for an hour or so in view
unlike present-day illumination
at the cost of environmental exploitation
driving out beasts and birds uprooting forest
with sleeping pills and late sleep, they get,
varied hobbies of villagers over generations,
the cow and calves’ divinized unions,
the picturesque art of the setting sun
all that in the evening presents frolic and fun,
undisturbed nature under-darkness cover
serene silence that prevails all over.
envying the serene atmosphere villagers get
in pleasant silence undisturbed rest.
To live with nature without environmental degradation
my village is an example of present-day emulation.
for an hour a small hand lamp was their need
unlike the illumination the modern-day greed
robbing the earth the allures of an evening.
woeful living for the present generation that will bring.

P K Routray
In the service of the Lord