PALAPPAM & FISH MOLLY

PALAPPAM

Ingredients.

Rice flour                       1/4kg

Yeast                               1/2teaspoon

Light hot water              3/4cup

Sugar                                1teaspoon

Flour grain                       1/2cup

Water                                1 1/2cup

Coconut milk                   1/2cup

Sugar                                 2 desert spoon

Salt                                     accordingly

Method

Mix yeast, light hot water and sugar and keep aside for half an hour. Mix water and flour grain. Boil it to make a thick liquid. Allow it to cool. Add yeast mixture to the rice flour. Add thickened flour grain liquid and knead well. Add sugar and coconut milk and make it a soft liquid. Keep for four or five hours. Heat a pan. Pour the liquid with a ladle to make soft palappams one by one.

FISH MOLLY

Ingredients

Fish                              1/2 kg

Onion                           2

Ginger and garlic         1 table spoon each

Green chilly                    3  

Small onion                    4

Cardamom                      4

Cloves                             4

Cinnamon                        1 stick

Tomato                             2

Coconut milk                    2 ½ cup

  Salt, oil, and curry leaves accordingly

Pepper powder                 1 teaspoon

Turmeric powder              ½ teaspoon

Lemon juice                      ½ teaspoon

Method

Marinate  fish pieces with pepper powder, turmeric powder, salt and lemon juice. Keep it for half an hour and fry for just two minutes. Heat oil in a pan. Put onions, garlic-ginger paste, green chilies, curry leaves. Add cardamom, cinnamon and cloves (crushed). Stir well to become golden colour.Add coconut milk (third).Add the fried fish pieces and salt. Allow it to boil. When the gravy becomes little thick add the second coconut milk and tomatoes. Once the tomatoes are cooked add the first coconut milk and just heat. Serve hot with palappam.

PETALS' WHISPER

Towards the burned earth just fallen the drops,        

The rain, the branches shaken in whirls,

A fire tongue, lightening, swallowed the nature,

Over all dales and hills, the sweetened shower,

Hailstones fell like icy plums,

While thunders vibrated grey sky walls,

Opening windows to listen raindrops,

With mesmerizing, patting, breeze embrace,

Stood up the petals beside the garden plants,

The heart hugged the heart in rosy gowns,

The smile loved the smile in pillared quills,

The eyes conquered the eyes of daffodils.

‘‘Be Gracious! Oh! Butterfly! Where had you been?

Over all moments, all those years, nowhere seen,

While winter and autumn, summer and spring,

Made their way in season’s swing….

Over all dawns while all waves curled,

Over all dusks while all stars glowed,

While termites spoiled, worms made it dry,

Wind withered it away, birds stole the honey…

Fostered to be charm, rejoiced although,

Pleasing to the blinks drifting through,

Nourished to be an offering ever gratified,

Good Heavens! Glimmers still the garland…

From petal to petal, nectar to nectar,

Riches to riches, pomp to pomp,

Mind a vagrant, in vain, in vain,

Till the flesh dissolves in soil again…’’

In drizzles, the heart hugs the heart still,

The eyes conquer the eyes to love the smile,

In brocaded petals the morning showers,

Leave hidden plops of water drops….

THE TRAVELLER’S LAMP

Through thorns and stones, the passer-by;

Feet stung, face crumpled, in soil dry,

Pours burning heat, the sun, melting;

All winds of ember embracing.

Fascinate shadow trees aside,

Tempt fruits with wines red,

Entices coolness of oasis beside,

To plunge in pleasures far and wide.

Never a flower pulled the hands,

Never a wine sipped the lips,

Never a plum tasted the tongues,

Never a tear shed the eyes.

Neither any status- the hands empty-

Nor any splendour, nor luxury,

Nor embellishment, nor pomp,

In its journey from the womb.

The head naked, neither any crown,

Nor dwelled in golden throne,

Nor any ruby, nor emerald,

Never had it any coral bead.

While time passed uncertain end

As the deaf, as the blind,

Those who wore precious pearl,

Mocked: “a destitute”, “a fool”.

In the bundle only cost-less things,

Tear drops, scars of wounds,

Torn, scattered, rags of dreams,

Also the refugee’s silly coins.

Still a treasure, in mind's screen,

The traveller’s lamp in journey alone,

Few ever heard, few never saw,

Few ever felt, few never knew.

Neither impure, nor shattered,

Nor hidden, never falsehood,

Can’t be replaced with any jewel,

“The love forever, unconditional”.

MAGIC LANTERNS

Hides setting sun in charming sea;

Tumbles saffron box in lurid sky;

Flowing strands of clouds sweetly hug

Afar mountain slope’s misty fog;

Touching shores, slowly recede waves;

Yonder, a sea-gull in alluring dreams;

Gentle shade, a serene cedar spreads;

In horizon, a gallant golden vessel rises…

Twinkle all tire-less planet gods;

Stars as necklace of coloured beads;

While in still-ness the pea-hens wait,

The fragrance of their soul-mate…

Who waves then all the magic wands

To ripen mangoes in dream-lands ?

Who blazes there all magic lanterns

Of love, over feathery green ferns ?

FIRE

The fire in veins,my love, ignited;

That can’t be extinguished;

Never becomes an ash heap;

That blazes again with hope...

The most gentle, the delicate;

The strength of the weak, the light;

Mightier than rocks; the petal,

Live, soft, the glowing crystal !

Sleeps as seeds, germinates as plants;

Blossoms as lavender, keeps and spreads

Its nectar in buds as flames;

Where it melts to kindle, as dews..

In hearts, like hurricane lamps;

Leads in incessant rains and storms...

It snows in marrows, blooms in bones;

Makes the dead alive, away from burdens;

Arises the mind – inconstant,

Unsteady, fickle and transient-

Towards immovable permanence,

With amiable loving glance…..

VOID AND VACUUM

            

My little nest, empty and void,

Never bear any bud, the flora aside,

Silent, gloomy, the clock stands still

The canopy, why forgets to smile?

None remains to care as she did.

Echoes, ‘how are you my dear child?

Be careful, don’t do it, say sorry’

And the soothing words ‘don’t worry’.

No one to look through the window frames

To check whether any coconut falls,

Whether gate grills rust or not, then to talk

To passers-by, the village women-folk.

The great hands vanished which softly cut

And pealed ripe mangoes, sweet jack-fruit,

Sliced pineapples and plucked, more

Yellow guavas for me, forever.

The courtyard, vacuum, no footstep,

The plantains search for some new hope,

Seeks the gardener, the pomegranate

With fruits in orchard, its inmate!

From the depth of well, the water, why

Listens for a weak pulley  cry?

The ash covered dormant fire-place

Why waits for a fragment spark?

In the boundary walls, slowly,

Mosses or weeds may seem roughly,

Fallen yellow leaves may cover

The sand grains in yard as shower…

The eyes straightened all vague visions,

The ears heard all aching missions,

The immortal soul to console and soften

Disappear in eternity behind the curtain.

The noble platform never again opens

No splendid saga anymore there plays

Nothing can re-fill the emptiness ever

Except the breath of my precious mother.

SLEEP

Life, a miracle but messing puzzle!

Love, marvellous but painful drizzle!!

Memory, blessing but despair, a curse…

Candle, a light but dripping tears.

Wind, a symphony but doom tomorrow,

River, a melody but flooding sorrow,

Dreams, raindrops but pangs shining,

Seasons, lovely but fast vanishing…

So, memories, in silence, rest in nap,

Mind, calmly let to sleep,
Dozing in drugs, Oh! Forgetfulness!!

Freeing all bondage, the scape-grace!!!

Eyes never see though widely open!

Ears never hear though keenly listen!!

Tongues never speak though frequently sob!!!

Nose never smells though sweetly breathe!!!!

While the ages fleeing very soon,

Can we have a journey return??

Can any fallen bamboo sprout

Come back as a sandalwood hut???

While the hearts wound, terribly bleed,

Let the minds swoon with musical reed,

Till they reach the cleansing shores

Of forgetfulness from turbulent pangs….

THE CUCKOO HIDES

The cuckoo hides!

Where? I amaze!

In late night, in midnight fall,

In solitude, in darkness all,

In early morning, in evening,

I hear the wings flapping!!

The cuckoo hides!

Smiles, sings and rides,

In the nest of memories

Among emerald leaves,

While silently passing moments

I hear the heart beats!!

The fallen shadow I see,

In the glass pane reminds me,

Chatter to giggle, the anklets,

The lustrous peacock whistles,

In my heart, it is in my heart….

Patiently hides, the green parrot!!!

BEING A CANDLE

If I were the Venus in heavenly height,

In the sky, I would have shone, a glorious light;

If I were a lovely bud ready to bloom,

In the plant, I would have spread in doom;

If I were a glistening butterfly, colourful,

In petals, I would have sucked honey full;

If I were a sweet little diving loon,

In the infinite horizon, I would have flown;

If I were a cool garden breeze, mild,

I would have blown as fragrance aside;

If I were a wave of milky moon beams,

I would have been a lake of glow worms;

If I were a cloud, wandering in the sky top,

In the earth, I would have drizzled a drop;

If I were a murmuring stream flowing unfold,

In the blue sea, I would have dissolved;

If I were a little blowing conch in shore,

In the sand, I would have slept in pleasure;

If I were a celestial enchanting flute, I long,

In your lips, I would have been a song;

If I were an em-purpled dream in your heart,

I would have travelled hand in hand a lot;

But a tiny grass I was, being nothing,

Except a never warbling lark, silently singing;

A burning candle, a martyr, the smiling face,

Under the Calvary cross, a sacred sacrifice….

SKYLARKS TO SKYLARKS

From the green hills, chant skylarks to skylarks,

The sweetest of the hymns from dawns to dusks,

From hillside to hillside flocking in the sky,

From dales to dales, floating in high!

“In the heart of your heart who still sings?

Still glows? Still blooms? Swings and swings??

Who travels with you unseen, unseen?

Making to smile back to sweet seventeen??

Who sprays the fragrance of yester years?

Echoing the fair flute in your ears?

While waterfalls rush from the lofty hills,

Changing pearls gently sing which ever thrills?

Hearing the marvel, the imprinted grace,

Who whispers among olives, the melodious peace?”

From the green hills, chant skylarks to skylarks,

The sweetest of the hymns from dawns to dusks,

From hillside to hillside, flocking in the sky,

From dales to dales, floating in high!

“Who plunges you in the memory pool?

Gracious, radiant, gentle and cool?

Awaking the soul towards the sunny day,

Where the youth waited the footsteps gay....

Passing the ray, the merriment evergreen,

While in the sky a star seemed queen…

Who plays the harp, in the core of your heart?

Lingering the withered, never wanes the part,

The moon who lights the luminous lamps,

Anonymous ! Anonymous among clouds like lambs !!”

THE RHYTHM OF LIFE

Oh! My beloved morning star!

Hear the lute from afar, afar!

The spring has again brightly sprung,

The larks their songs have sweetly sung,

Butterflies flutter in tiny wings,

Pattering squirrels in palm leaf swings,

Glistening dewdrops in thin grass smile,

Blue-bells, lilies and laurels bloom awhile,

Hear the giggles of shallow streams rush,

Feel the chill of fresh oasis gush,

Listen the rain clouds drizzle with fun,

 Sunflower’s murmur towards the rising sun,

Thrill in lovely rainbow blaze,

The pretty row in horizon, amaze!

Life an ember where memories arise,

Though put in pyre, the phoenix again rise,

Even one travels with a paralyzed heart,

The shadow, the death, accompanies to part,

Everyone has to drink the cup,

The Father has given from the heaven up,

Life, a sea where waves of troubles,

To heal, to heal, one ever, ever struggles,

Fortune, a dream glowing afar,

The vanishing morning star in dawn so far,

A truth? A falsehood? In mind’s palanquin,

Just be pleased in mild moonshine,

Oh! My beloved morning star!

Hear the lute from afar, afar!

Sparrows dive through wind slowly,

Buds bloom to garlands in valley,

Petals of lotus and roses open,

Spreading sweetness to gateways unknown,

Silent stars gaze upon the doves,

Cooing beside the roof with loves,

Lamps are lit to begin the journey,

Towards the pain and pleasures of honey,

Curtains are drawn to life’s new dawn,

Cheer again, cheer again, farewell to mourn,

Enjoy the lost canopy nearby,

Fortune, a cloud roaming in the sky,

Oh! My beloved nightingale!

It rains! It rains! In all mount’s dale!!!

I FOUND THE INFANT.......

I found the Infant, sacred, the heavenly grace,

In the virgin’s lap, in manger, the face,

Blazing amidst the angels, the shepherds,

Who sing the praise, the glory with herds.

I found the Infant in that hut,

Dilapidated, broken, shattered which cut

Down in pain their defeated life,

In vulnerable, savage, outpouring grief.

I found the Infant in the faces sweat,

Of the tillers, in their troubled eyes wet;

And in the pale lips of the path maker,

Who toil in the sun, in the rain, in the courner;

In the maid wearing cloaks all torn,

In the eyes of the unknown kids who born

 Orphans, passing the merciless dawn;

In the patients shivering in death bed who mourn,

Disappointed, wretched, in the isolated ward

Aside dark corridors no one to guard;

In the voice, trembling, of the helpless crowd,

The prey of terrorists, amidst blasts aloud,

In the depth of desperate sunken eye,

In all the flesh and blood who weep and sigh;

And in the hands weary, the shelterless beggars,

I found Him, in their life struggles.

Never found Him, the Holy Infant,

Though I searched in palace in front-

Of luxury, in mansions of richness;

In the faces fat, in cheeks of happiness;

In the lips crimson with poisonous blood;

In the tongues of spears and sharpened sword;

Which stretch to utter just flattery pomp,

And explode to mangle with words of bomb.

Neither in the altars of temples or church,

Where only battles of powers do march,

Nor in the kingdoms of world, in the siege;

Nor in the artillery from where no refuge;

Nor in the hearts proud, so jealous,

Storming towards the humble, the gentle, the pious;

Nowhere in the flashes of gunfire sound

The grace, the glorious face never I found.

I found Him, the humility, in every manger simple,

In all the hearts humane, ardent and humble,

In the virgin’s lap, joyfully with heavenly grace,

Showering the blessings of eternal peace,

To send the rich away, their hands empty,

To bring down the kings, strong and mighty,

To fill the hungry well, to lift up the lowly,

Smiling the Infant in the manger lovely!!