The Cinnamon Gardens Commute

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AncientHippie
Member

since 2009-10-15

Posts 411
Surfing the Cosmic Flow

0 posted 2009-10-22 09:31 AM

I remembered, this morning,
the early morning walk
from six upon three (6/3) Wijerama Mawatha
to number six Gregory's Road.

I smelt again the texture
of the Sri Lankan dust
stimulating my nose:
the pungency of rotting vegetation
piled by storm drains
that awaited the next
monsoonal overflow:

and the eye-watering sharpness of a length
of burning coir rope
hanging outside a small roadside lean-to
so that customers could light
their purchased beedis,
made from the sweepings
of the nationalised Benson Hedges factory,
catering to the addictive needs
of the working class.

This, and the deep brown sweet aroma
of stacked pieces of jaggery fudge,
home-made from coconut sugar,
blending in exotic melange
with the spicy call of
devilled cashew nuts:
all proffered by a smiling proprietor
with a name as exotic
as his varied wares.

I pass Horton Place,
and stare in envious wonder
at Professor Arthur C. Clarke's
satellite dish,
as the kerosene man passes me,
his bullock cart lending
strange contrast in a land
where paradox is commonplace.

Turning onto Gregory's Road,
I am flanked by a phalanx
of pink cassia, breadfruit,
frangipani, teak, various mimosa,
and the towering cinnamon trees
that give the area its name.
The distinctive call of the knife-sharpener,
brings cooks running from their busy kitchens
to take advantage of his curb-side trade.

The fecund olive trees in the garden
of the High Commission
are dropping their abundant fruit:
a neon flash of parakeets bursts
from laden branches,
as I start another
long day at the office.

Sutra 8: Faith is not an alternative to thought: the one excludes the other.

Lori Grosser Rhoden
Member Patricius

since 2009-10-10

Posts 10202
Fair to middlin' of nowhere

1 posted 2009-10-22 11:58 AM

Thanks for letting me join you on your commute to work Jim, I enjoyed it very much~L

Dark Stranger
Member Patricius

since 2001-03-19

Posts 13631
West Coast

2 posted 2009-10-22 12:36 PM

AH...and mine was a harleyslingshot fastforward ride that blurred my eyes to see only the sunrise burping over her favorite purple mountain, and the wind moving my face around over old bones as if it was a child finger painting to cover a demon at the window..

way kewl stuff amigo!!

AncientHippie
Member

since 2009-10-15

Posts 411
Surfing the Cosmic Flow

3 posted 2009-10-22 12:59 PM

Thank you, Lori.
DS: muy amable, hombre. Con mucho gusto.

Sutra 8: Faith is not an alternative to thought: the one excludes the other.

Mysteria

Member Laureate

since 2001-03-07

Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada

4 posted 2009-10-22 04:32 PM

Are you, or have you put all these into book form? What a wonderful legacy to leave your family. I have written down all of mine for the girls, but more for me I think.

I too, enjoyed holding your arm on a stroll to your post.

latearrival
Member Ascendant

since 2003-03-21

Posts 5499
Florida

5 posted 2009-10-22 06:49 PM

Enjoying all you write. thank you,latearrival

AncientHippie
Member

since 2009-10-15

Posts 411
Surfing the Cosmic Flow

6 posted 2009-10-23 08:40 AM

Mysteria: My children are aware that I consider myself a poet: the two older (adult) girls are fans, but the younger daughter and son-at-univesity just love me, and consider my poetry as just Dad being weird. I do have HTML electronic copies of all my works preserved for future family researchers. I am cool with myself and with the way my diverse, gifted, and very smart, family view "The Ancient Hippie."
latearrival: Here's the deal...you keep reading, I'll keep writing.
Go well, all.
Peace
Jim

Sutra 15: One’s Dharma may be obscured by believing in Its exclusivity.
Jim's Guide to Enlightenment: The Complete Sutras

BluesSerenade
Member Patricius

since 2001-10-23

Posts 10549
By the Seaside

7 posted 2009-10-23 02:35 PM

You convey a day in the life and the endless struggle.
Even more, how that struggle becomes a way of life.

Wonderful visuals, you capture so much and I am so pleased to read you here.

I also want to thank you personally for your comments to my work.

Welcome~

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