This Place...

There is this place

That forever holds

A fascination for me

Even as time unfolds.

I’ve been enchanted

Ever since I was a child.

I’ve gone there for long walks

In Spring when the weather was mild.

About a kilometre

From my home

Is this beautiful edifice

About which I write this poem.

Its majestic gardens are lovely

The grass is emerald green

Flowers are splashes of colour

Amongst which varied birds their feathers preen.

Oh... the air here is fragrant and fresh!

The tall trees dance in the breeze.

The sunlight keeps playing with shadows

To the accompaniment of humming bees.

The ancient, graceful eucalyptus

Rises above and touches the blue sky

The flaming bougainvillea

Is a feast for the appreciating eye.

Amongst the trees you can hear the song of mynas,

The noisy jungle babblers, parrots and gentle doves

The squirrels sing duets with the chaffinch

But it is the song of the cuckoo everyone loves.

Now how can I forget to mention him,

The peacock, who wears a crown?

His bejewelled train sweeping along

As he struts on the paths, up and down.

The tarred paths are long and winding

Taking you to places you would love to go.

When you gaze at the marble walls

You wonder if they were once as white as snow.

The sunshine lights up the structure

That stands amidst the greenery

The blue lake that sparkles in the sunlight

Enhances the beauty of the scenery.

It has this huge tower too

At the top of which there is an ancient clock

It loudly chimes the hours

And proclaims the o’clock.

The tower adds to the romance

During a moonlit night’s walk.

It fuels the imagination, acts as a backdrop

Like in fairytales when lovers their lips lock!

Since time immemorial

It has educated the royalty

And over the ages

Has borne witness to their loyalty.

It holds within its bosom

Tales of valour and mystery

On its walls are proudly posted

Chronicles from its glorious history.

Within its portals

Young boys are groomed to be men

God bless Mayo!

To this I would repeatedly say ‘Amen’!

Images: SL Artist, Pranit Gupta, Tripadvisor