Life's Little Pleasures

-by Pratyush Parashar Das

The five days pass with a blur every week, leading to a time of rest and repose, which does my heart eagerly seek,

It goes on journeys where it longs for the quiet of the evenings and the sighing of the trees,

As they dance and sway to the orchestra of the gently flowing breeze,

It goes on journeys where it longs for the sight of the leaves verdant and green, softly illuminated in the fading embers of the evening sun, glowing with a greenish sheen,

It goes on journeys where it longs for the not so distant sound of the waves crashing and breaking upon the seashore,

A rhythm that seems to be the sound of the Earth's heart, may it beat ever more,

It goes on journeys where it longs for the sweet melody of the birds returning home to roost in a jungle both beautiful and old,

When all manner of creatures must rest, be they swift and small, or majestic and bold,

It goes on journeys where it longs for the gentle but insistent whistling of the wind through the mountainous bushes green but flecked with snow,

With their ruby red flowers adorning them, like diamonds on a silvery white bow,

And in these settings does my heart set aside all strain and worry and embrace peace,

That soothes my entire being, which glows with an inner light as though adorned by the mythical Golden Fleece.