Friday, December 30, 2011

Why Am I In India? December 30, 2011



Why Am I in India?

I came for many reasons,
To see friends dear to me,
In search of new adventure,
In a land of mystery.

I came to see the temples,
With carvings so sublime,
Left by master craftsmen,
From a far and distant time.

I came to share a way of life,
So different from my own,
To see the wealth that lies beyond,
My personal comfort zone.

I came to eat such wondrous foods,
With spices most divine,
I hope to garner cooking tips,
To make these secrets mine.

I came to feel amazement,
At everything I see,
From the struggles faced by many,
To the harmonious diversity.

I came to know the joy,
Village life bestows on me.
And the thrill when a little boy,
Waves and yells, "Hello, aunty".

I came to see the cities,
And the small towns by the seas,
I came to see all that I can,
To fill me with memories.

I hadn't any idea, though,
On that December day,
That when I got to India,
I'd give my heart away.

Carmen Henesy
Copyright (c) December 2011 by Carmen Henesy 
All rights reserved.

32 comments:

  1. I wish I can go places that I like one day, without restrictions.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am woefully behind in catching up on comments. I am so lucky to have your friendship, rainfield..it's nice to begin a new year with you!

      Delete
  2. Replies
    1. rosaria, belated happy new year wishes. You are often in my thoughts. India is certainly different from our part of the world but I am enjoying it. Hopefully, on my return to the US, when I am really missing my life, here, I'll be heading up your way for a visit.

      Delete
  3. You're in India for all the best possible reasons! You are having the trip of a lifetime and I am so happy that you are sharing so much of it with us. I feel I'm almost there with you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sheila, having you here with me would be such fun. I still haven't even seen postcards anywhere, can you believe it?

      Delete
  4. That was lovely Carmen! India is certainly a place where you give your heart away :D

    Happy new year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. zephyr - about midnight tonight, I will have been in India six weeks. Where has the time gone? I fly to Jaipur the 28th where, on the 30th, I will attend a wedding reception, then I'll be in Delhi for a few days around the 1st. There is still so much I want to do but, my retirement budget and time, are keeping me a bit in check.

      Delete
  5. this is so beautiful...

    Heres wishing you an yours a brilliant 2012!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wish I could stop time...it is passing so quickly. I wish I were staying six months...as originally planned. Now, I'm trying to figure out how to return next year.

      Delete
  6. glad u are enjoying the stay and love........ :)

    have a great 2012 and wish.. your trip to India just gets better and better everyday.....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. hitesh, I am getting excited about my short visit to Jaipur and the stay in Delhi after. I expect I'll arrive on the 1st, stay three or four days...I wish there were some way to do a little dinner gathering with some of the blogging folks

      Delete
  7. beautiful poem
    Happy New Year

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. sm, I think you must be in Bangalore but I am not really sure...let me know how I can contact you. I feel like I shouldn't leave India without meeting you.

      Delete
  8. Hey Carm, sounds like you are having a wonderful trip.... wish I were there. Happy New Year!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elaine, my beloved friend...I miss you, really, I do and, yes, India is all I'd hoped for and more. You should have given me a boot and gotten me out of SF two months earlier as I'd planned. Santos and Lorna and their sons treat me like a VIP...I'm part of the village...kind of nice being here...far different from braving the traffic and chaos of much of Mumbai...but I like that even. Will be doing some travel soon. It's nice that so many great Royal Caribbean folks are here.

      I love you bunches and miss you ... and sure as heck miss our work. I hope I can get back here next year!

      Delete
  9. Carmen, you might have given your heart away when you got to India, but the poor nation hardly has any heart left of her own. Putrid politicians have sucked it dry. But I am sorry, you have written simple, powerful verse.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I read so much about the corruption in India...it is very sad but we have our own, as well. I feel for those who really suffer because of it. I'm just enjoying my time here - wish I could spend six months a year here...my retirement dollar would certainly go further. I would end up in trouble, though, trying to champion causes...as an RN for 45 years, in the field of interpersonal violence for the past 21, I certainly have been vocal in my own country.

      Delete
  10. Amazing! Wish you a very happy new year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SG - we've sure come a long way since the cops and crime days, haven't we? Hope life treats you really well in 2012.

      Delete
  11. beautiful poem, Carmen, happy New Year to you in India.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Here we are already at Jan 16...six weeks tonight,I've been in India...that just amazes me. I miss all my blogging buddies but can't seem to find the time to catch up! Soon...I promise. Hope 2012 is the year we finally meet.

      Delete
  12. What an incredible place to have Christmas and finish 2011. I take this opportunity to wish you a very Happy New Year 2012. Take care and travel safely. Kind regards. Raymonde. xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for the New Year wishes. It's hard to believe I am almost halfway through my India visit.

      Delete
  13. Anonymous3:04 PM

    Thank you for the honour of this glimpse into your life. Impressed by your journey. Wishing you only the very best.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Robert, I am so slow responding to comments, it seems. Forgive me. You know your visits are important to me.

      Delete
  14. That was a heart warming poem.I hope your whole trip to India will be wonderful! Wish you a very happy and healthy 2012!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad you liked my latest India poem. I am having a wonderful time...except for a four day bout of Delhi belly...or Mumbai motion...I did lose a few pounds. All is well now, though, and I am off to Jaipur on the 29th six days, then to Patalia in the Punjab to be the guest of Dr. Gorea, a highly esteemed forensic colleague.

      Delete
  15. You love India so much... I am happy for you that you are able to spend this time there. Oddly enough, my adventure buddy, Ellen, is going there for the second half of January.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can't believe I didn't reply to a whole group of my blogging buddies and here it is the end of Jan already. Have you heard from Ellen yet on her journey? I hope she enjoys her stay in India as much as I am enjoying mine.

      Delete
  16. You write beautifully. I am happy that you are enjoying your stay here. The love of the people who welcome you to their homes and hearts is still quite beautiful about our country. But, there are many many things that need change. Have a happy new year. Stay happy and safe.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am starting to feel sad that my India stay is halfway over. I am headed to Jaipur on the 29th..will be there six nights and am thrilled that a dear friend of mine from Colorado is also going to be there, attending an international forensic conference. I am going to join her and will see many professional colleagues that I haven't seen in years.

      Delete