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| Tiger Hill, Darjeeling. |
On good days I notice the smaller things -
how the light strikes the litter, crumpled foil
bravely tries to give back. Butterfly wings.
On bad days - there are headlines on the boil.
On good days - the birdsongs. And their echoes.
How long they take to reverberate, to fade.
How the bracken on the mountain slope grows.
On bad days - the leaders and their tirades.
The waterfalls, the orchids, the lone skink.
The squirrel come to scope the balcony
as everywhere their normal habitats shrink.
The clouds offering handkerchiefs to me.
Most are good. Sometimes it's hard to discern
the exact point they end and where they turn.
The main purpose of going to Darj this time was to get a clear view of the Kanchenjunga, which as you can tell from the image, was fully achieved. We had several absolutely clear days, not a speck of rain anywhere, magical sunrises and sunsets, clicked everything I possibly could, so all in all - fabulous. Much changes, and yet much remains the same. The mountains feel timeless though we know they too erode. We went back to the old haunts - Glenary's, Penang, St Paul's School, hubby being an Old Paulite. He showed us the spots where the best views (and food!) could be had. It helps to have an insider in the team.
I had planned to get a little introspective for this post, rounding up the year etc, but there are still three weeks left. So still some way to go. In case you're taking time off from blogland over the rest of the month - season's greetings to you and yours. Wish you the very best for the holidays and the New Year 2025.
Hari OM
ReplyDeleteThis year has been like a steam train... it has been quite the ride. Yes, some bad, but, gratefully, many good days. All the best to you, too. YAM xx
Yes, that steam train analogy seems about right! But always thankful for the good days, however few or many.
DeleteGlad you got to see the mountains so clearly. Enjoy the good days.
ReplyDeleteThank you. And to you too.
DeleteHi Nila - always helpful to have an insider ... must make a huge amount of difference, but what a wonderful place to spend one's youth in and around. Lots and lots going on - tough to keep up ... let alone blog about. It's just great being amongst the blogland community ... cheers to you and yours - Hilary
ReplyDeleteTravelling with a local man is invaluable! <3
DeleteThe little things are huge in my world. Thank you for showing their beauty, charm and healing powers...
ReplyDeleteAll the best to you and yours for the rest of the year and all the years to come.
Oh in mine too! The tinier they are, the huger they feel to me. Thank you for being here throughout what has been rather a rough year for many of us.
DeleteI love this picture and the view. Indeed, I often set my phone down and then just go sit on the patio and watch the birds. This afternoon I sat and stared at our Christmas tree, reviewing each ornament and the memories involved.
ReplyDeleteYour poem captures the small moments perfectly. Then the brain flashes to the world view and inside I scream silently. Crazy world, but I wish you many small lovely moments in 2025.
Thank you, Joanne! It is indeed a crazy world but there are still many small things to celebrate on a personal level. Thankful for all of it. Wishing you and yours a wonderful Christmas and a great 2025.
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