Tag Archives: nature

Under the Shade of the Banyan

banyan-tree.jpgOriginal art by Sneha (oil pastel)

Under the Shade of the Banyan

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Banias conduct business

Gods meditate and recline

My leaves dispense knowledge

My structure reflects the world

Material and Spiritual

Study me

 I am the eternal tree

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The Banyan tree is the national tree of India and Bangladesh. The word Banyan comes from the Gujarati word Bania or trader. The word was picked up by the Portugese to refer to the Hindu traders who used to sit under the shade of these trees to conduct their business and passed it on to the English who began to refer to the ‘Banyan’ trees. 🙂

Interesting? Learn more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banyan

Coconut Water- Mother Nature’s Sports Drink!

coconut palm-kerala

There used to be a time when one had to fly thousands of miles across the seas to get a taste of pure refreshing coconut water. Just the thought was enough kindle a picture of tall swaying coconut palms along virgin tropical beaches.

But no more! They are available right here in my grocery store — and flavored ones too! Cafe Latte anyone?

Coconut water-1

Marketed as ‘Mother Nature’s Sports Drink’ and endorsed by leading athletes and celebrities, this product has taken off!

It has fewer calories, less sodium and more potassium than the leading sports drink. All you need to do is like the taste which isn’t hard to do. It is slightly sweet and nutty in flavor.

But no matter what, nothing beats the taste of fresh water drunk directly out of the young green coconuts followed by eating the soft white meat inside. Ahhh.. PARADISE!

coconut water 2

The Surface

Gem Lake

 The Surface

—o—

We operate

You and I

We nod, we converse, we agree

We go about our business

On the surface

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The chinks

They show on occasion

But we conceal them

Expertly shroud them

On the surface

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And those who dare

Peep beneath

They rear aghast

At the rife ugliness they see

A cauldron of noxious brews

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Of voices falling on deaf ears

Of conflicting emotions

Of affections forgotten

Of relations trivialized

Of promises broken

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Yet it all appears just fine

On the surface

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