Heaven On Earth

To all Martinians from a Martinian

Days I count seem less

than these passing nights

Guffaws I recall

through our silliest fights

 

 

Time falls silent

Time becomes unreal

 

 

We keep coming back

to moments gone past

whispering by

yet never tire

of remembering that age long gone

for the thousandth umpteenth time

 

They condescend, they question

What have you accomplished by

calling yourself a Martinian?

Hearing their tirade

First, I laugh (inside)

Leave them surprised

Then I smile (outside)

keep calm and reply

“Some people spend their entire lives trying to be perfect

Others are born Martinians”

 

O, we achieve nothing

insane or anything

extraordinary

Only abide by pillars

of this virtuous sanctum of

life and learning

laced with our stupidities

without which we are like

fish feeling forlorn

in their home: the sea

 

 

A soulful call resounds

“Never stop coming here

It is our home”

 

 

Time silently passed

Time is now unreal

 

 

Go away, far away

but when you will be back

we shall all drift heye

to admire Constantia

in its grace and glory

to cherish memories of the

freedom we are grateful for now

and find amiss in our lives

but none can take away the memory of

the joy found in foolish rebellions

where we were making sure

all rules were defied

or leaving legacies on desks, chairs and walls

or clicking pictures holding The Lat

or snatch(share)ing sheermals and tiffins routinely

or being artists shaping new destinies

or declaring holy prophecies

to become timeless

like the names countless

engraved on steps of the East Terrace

 

 

 

Come and find yourself

We will be here

waiting for us all; together; back in our

Heaven on Earth: La Martiniere . . .

 

 

 

 

(TO EVERY MARTINIAN

THERE HAS BEEN

THERE IS

THERE WILL BE)

("Martinian" . . . '96 - Forever

'Labor-et-Constantia')

Author's Note

Constantia: Our main building, once compared by William Dalrymple, the famous historian as "The East India Company's answer to the Taj Mahal". Our founder, Major General Claude Martin is buried beneath the building.

Labor-et-Constantia: Our motto, meaning 'By Labour and Constancy'.

East Terrace: A grand staircase leading to Constantia. The past-Martinians have their names etched on the stairs to "be in La Martiniere forever . . . "

YES, THIS IS MY HEAVENLY SCHOOL!!
[The pic in the body is very old, probably early years of Indian Independence.
The above one is a year or two old.]

Reviews

[AprilRN1210]

awwww what a nice tribute with the feeling of nostalgia and affection for those memories... the author's notes surely help with some of the references as I was lost reading it in some parts, but the overall emotion and sentiment is there and expressed beautifully.. good job:)

[Stonz P.]

I can talk about my school days until 'The End' of days and nights.. My school has made me. It taught me the importance of beauty in everyday life. I prefer being at school (only 3km away from my house) than staying at home. Used to cry if I had to be absent because of sickness :(
Sigh, only I know how much I miss it. Call it 'True Love', if you may.

And it is such a grand place. I have been blessed to have been lucky enough to have such an education where the emphasis was not one academics but the development of the integrity and self.

All my friends are childhood friends and schoolmates. We just want to go back to school, nothing else. I hope to achieve that by teaching there someday. Give back everything I can in service to it.
Thank you for reading :)

[AprilRN1210]

that would be a great way to give back, and today's youth need great educators such as you... you're more than welcome sir.. it was my pleasure...

[Stonz P.]

*blushing in overwhelming awe*
Thank you, thank you :-)

[AprilRN1210]

haha.. you blushing?... pfffft.. what-ever!!! you're welcome:P

[Jennie Baron]

It does remind me of some of the odes of classic poetry. Almost patriotic in nature and inspirational.

[Stonz P.]

Hi Jennie,

I would be honoured if this reminded you of any of the classics. I studied my first ode 'Ode on A Grecian Urn' in class IXth here and I have never read anything more beautiful than that.. And yes, you can say this is patriotic; we love our school as much as the country, perhaps maybe more in my case.
Thank you for reading :)

[Jennie Baron]

Yes, "Grecian Urn" was on my mind. I recently visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Greek and Roman artifacts on exhibit reminded me of it. You are very welcome.

[Matching Socks]

Very passionate piece of writing, nice job. You don't need to follow any rhyme pattern for this kind of writing, I think it stands so beautifully.

[Stonz P.]

Thank you for reviewing :)
And I do not use rhyme, meter or sometimes even grammar in poetry. It is just that Odes are associated with a rhyme scheme. Do not want anyone unfamiliar with my works to be fussing over it.

[Matching Socks]

Oh well, I'm not fussing. I really liked it.

[Stonz P.]

I know you did not :)