FREIBURGER ZEITGEISTLITERATURE (Satis Shroff)

AUTUMN (Satis Shroff) (Wooden sculpture by my friend Thomas Rees, Kappel) Chilly Autumn arrives soon enough, The summer flowers, Those dear friends have gone. Asters and chrysanthemums still greet us. People celebrate the festival of lights, In honour of Goddess Lakshmi. Even the common crow is worshipped this day. For the crow is the messenger of Death, To the Hindus: Yamadoot. Another day the dog is garlanded and revered, For he is Bhairab’s steed. The third day of Tihar belongs to the cow, The reincarnation of Lakshmi. If you beat a cow you might be punished With a life in poverty. Figures   beneath a fungus: sculptor , my friend Thomas Rees The fruits are ripe now, Waiting to be harvested. The sun’s rays become mellow. The leaves turn golden, russet, brown. The paths are strewn with dead leaves. We reflect about our own lives. The dying leaves, A metaphor of your short existence, On this beautiful earth. With splendor of Summer gone, ...

Ach, Gloomy Autumn (Satis Shroff) The intensity of the sun Has disappeared. A mellowness shrouds the land. The leaves have turned yellow, russet, crimson and brown Alas, the once rich foliage Has begun to die under the October twilight, A natural end. But there is hope For life begins anew next spring. The fallen leaves Are an exercise in letting go. To think that hose very leaves Were so green and gaudy, In the summer months. Now everything seems to be deceasing. Leaves stiff and drooping, Dead leaves, twigs and branches, Are ablaze in the autumnal bonfire, On hillsides, homesteads and gardens. Out of the memories arise wisdom, Like the Sphinx born anew From the ashes of the old, Year in and year out. Doesn’t power have the stain of blood? Ah, my grape vines are gone, Shared by visiting blackbirds and me. So sweet and such a delight, As the juices trickle down your throat. Some elderly storks have ling...

THE SEASONS (Satis Shroff) SUMMER It’s Summer where moist southern winds prevail. Your body, mind and spirit, Are one with Nature. The flowers bloom and cherries get ripe, ‘ Kaphal pakyo, kaphal pakyo ,’ Sings a a bird. The day lengthens And the clouds cannot hide the Surya. Soon great clouds bring rain. Indra gives his blessing: Monsoon. A gift to many, A curse for few. The sun shines now And the leaves sag. The frogs dive in the pond, The dragon fly hovers awhile. There’s life and beauty in this transient world. Summer brings enduring happiness To one and all, When trees blossom and bear fruit. The paddy planting season is over In the Vale of Catmandu. The Newari  jyapu farmers sing songs And rejoice. The sun fills our lives with light, Positive thoughts prevail. The wonderful scent of the roses, Butterflies dancing over Himalayan orchids. Your fingers touch and feel The silkiness of the rose petals. People sing...