Memoirs of Switzerland
Gazing through the planes window
I peeped to see the scenery below
First sight of vast greens across the land
To flowing river between the land
Across came a ferry to escort our band
As we landed on that blessed land
Hospitality of men, quite to its best
As women welcomed, us, willing guests.
Driving with a cab to our destination
Withering milestones giving a gist of the nation
Vast fields and mountains touching the sky
Was it a dream, or was it a lie?
Hushed and subtle all around,
No crowds, no bustle not a wild hound
Winds blowing to a tune and smooth
Without any dust, creasing our suit.
Wooden houses stacked across
Stone compounds gathering some moss
A giant chimney, ruffling and puffing out
On porch some men on whiskey and draught.
As we moved through all of Berne,
It had our praises and lauding to earn
Some streets of tar to some cobblestones
No bumps or dribbles and no pot holes!
Centre of the city stood a huge cathedral
Nearby a clock tower, a museum and a small burial
Lined parallel shops, restaurants and pubs
Some offices, firms and small business hubs
Yet quiet and peace will define this place
No horns, no noise, no one out to race
The tramps, the buses moving to a rhythm
Solace and sanctity, must be their anthem.
Now, having stayed here for half a calendar
The raving, surely has no fender,
For poets, painters and travelers a haven
And I too dare say, have seen some of heaven!
- Rohan Patankar
(21st June 2009)