A Cool Sunday Morning

December is one of the most beautiful months of the year. Specially being in Mumbai you get the relief from intense heat and perspiration. One can relax for a few days and enjoy the cool breeze buzzing through their hair. The nature seems alive with sound, Birds twittering, moths buzzing, flowers blooming and trees going green and red. For some parts of the city, winter is the delight of spring.

This morning though, is different. It’s really cold today and the sun seems to be sleeping cozily in its warm blankets. It remains snuggled in bed to such an extent that you can’t even make out where it sleeps. The sky is a dark and cozy blanket and the day seems to start at its own pace. One can really enjoy the winter season by going out for a walk in the morning. Don’t make it a habit though. Winter is the gift of god to the people to make them rest after a long year.

Out on a walk you feel surprised to find others too! It seems unusual that anyone would wake up so early. You wonder as you tie your shoe laces if you will be the only one to be out. Then you step out and find so many others that you put your eyes on the ground and make your way to the park.

A few aunties are buying milk and groceries. That becomes a silent affair as everyone looses the mood to bargain in this season. The beady eyed ladies seem oblivious to what amount the shopkeeper asks for. They are already dreaming of getting their kids ready and hitting the bed as soon as they are on the bus.

I put my hands in my pockets and tread along the road to the park. The dogs are stretching and preparing to sleep after a long night of howling. Their howls are more audible in the sultry summers than the winters. The clouds move along your side and make their way to the park with you as you wonder whether they are with you today, you smile back as you can see various shapes in them. Don’t kill the kid in you. I tell everyone around but nobody hears this. While people walk looking at the road, I walk looking at the sky, talking to the clouds and asking god how he is today. Not some particular god but the one who surrounds me all the time in his strong grasp. He has no face or skin but I know he is there. He has always been there, from my first memory of my life till the last moment which went by.

The walk would seem monotonous if you keep looking at the paving. Some people prefer this repetition and dizziness or maybe are so used to it that they can’t think of a better option. Why do we get so carried away by our situations? Do they ever remain the same? Do we really need the same perspective all the time?

I walk around looking at everyone, observing what I can. The artist has played with so many things that it’s impossible to observe them all in one go, but then at least one should make the efforts to do so.

“I am but one of his arts, observing his others as I make footsteps on the sands of time. Some would remain some fade, some give way to others.”