Village Life

Beneath the banyan’s sprawling, sacred shade,

A village breathes where time moves slowly and kind.

The soil, with gentle hands of toil, is made

To yield its gifts for hearts and lives entwined.

Here faiths converge like rivers to the sea,

A mosque’s call blends with the temple bells’ soft chime.

Through diverse paths, one spirit wanders free,

In peace, they walk the ancient dance of time.

The air is rich with spice and earthen bread,

Where lentil stews and mangoes sweetly shine.

Each humble plate, though scarce the table spread,

Bears’ flavours are vast, as if by God’s design.

Yet shadows fall where knowledge finds no home,

And children’s dreams are but the sky’s faint spark.

The books, untouched, as leaves in forests roam,

While poverty drapes life in the twilight dark.

Yet in their hearts, a wealth beyond compare—

A simple joy that fills each beating heart.

In thee, a mirror to our nation’s past,

And hope eternal for a brighter place.

Shashi Dhar Kumar