Wonders of Earth

 I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o’er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

(- from “Daffodils” by William Wordsworth)

 

Every time when I visit a garden or see a tree in full bloom this is the feeling that immediately pops up in my mind. This master of words captured, and how beautifully the power and aura of Daffodils that has remained with me since the school days; obviously it is one of my favorite poems. Anybody who is looking  for soulful words, calming therapy and good literature must read him.

As a kid I grew up amid the tall trees and huge farms surrounded by our humble home in the outskirts of Surat city, I dearly reminisce about the memories I made there as a child. Looking at vegetables growing, peacocks flaunting, smelling flowers and plucking up local fruits was a beautiful routine. As I grew up those memories color my thoughts and even today help me brighten up a dull day.

Today, my day starts with watching leaves unfurl, flowers bloom and plants grow and they always make me wonder how they do it standing at one place, dancing to the wind. It’s  a wonder and it all comes out of the same Earth. The red and white Champa (Plumeria), strikingly blue Aparajita (butterfly pea), the red red rose, mellow and yellow Chini gulab (Office time) and the list can never be made. Earth produces so many colors, from plain brown and black looking soil gives birth to colors and won’t it be correct to say that this brown soil has secret pockets filled with different colors and during night time it places them on the correct spot. Hence, the Earth is the secret behind all the colors and fragrances which these plants and trees give out; at least I believe so. Then what about the fruits we eat! The sour and sweet grapes, red and juicy apples, tangy Pineapple and sweet Jamuns; where does Earth get all these tastes from? Wait, what about all these veggies and the herbs and the medicinal plants. It’s Earth and only Earth which can make this happen.

Yes, it is Earth which keeps giving us unconditionally. It gives us every single thing which we need to live but what do we do ? Why are we giving Earth so much trash and plastic? On this Earth day let’s be a bit more sensible towards our acts and not make this only life giving place in the universe a trash bin. Do your bit, Earth will return you with bigger interest. Let us not forget that everything we eat, drink and breathe comes from Earth and not from machines.

Stop being a mad man before Earth turns mad.

On this note, I am reminded of a poem called “Zamin ko Jaadu aata hai '' by Gulzar sahab. This poem also talks about the same thing and I guess it is this piece of words that made me think more about how soil can create wonders.

ये मेरे बाग की मिट्टी में कुछ तो है

ये जादुई ज़मीं है क्या?

ज़मीं को जादू आता है !

 

अगर अमरूद बीजूँ मैं, तो ये अमरूद देती है

अगर जामुन की गुठली डालूँ तो जामुन भी देती है

करेला तो करेला.....निम्बू तो निम्बू!

 

अगर मैं फूल माँगू तो गुलाबी फूल देती है

मैं जो रंग दूँ उसे, वो रंग देती है

ये सारे रंग क्या उसने कहीं नीचे छुपा रक्खे हैं मिट्टी में

बहुत खोदा मगर कुछ भी नहीं निकला.....!

ज़मीं को जादू आता है!

 

ज़मीं को जादू आता है

बड़े करतब दिखाती है

ये लम्बे-लम्बे ऊँचे ताड़ के जब पेड़, उँगली पर उठाती!

तो गिरने भी नहीं देती!

हवाएँ खूब हिलाती हैं, ज़मीं हिलने नहीं देती!

 

मेरे हाथों से शर्बत, दूध, पानी

कुछ गिरे सब डीक जाती है

ये कितना पानी पीती है!

गटक जाती है जितना दो,

 

इसे लोटे से दो या बाल्टी से,

या नल दिन भर खुला रख दो

गज़ब है, पेट भरता ही नहीं इस का

सुना है ये नदी को भी छुपा लेती है अन्दर!

ज़मीं को जादू आता है!

यकीनन जादू आता है!

(- from Green Poems by Gulzar)

In the comments below do let know your thoughts on wonders of earth. For more such Earthy content click on https://artkizubani.blogspot.com/2022/04/bloom-when-you-wish-to.html