Silent Valley

Like the small flowers of green thick hills

With fragrance, did her words; bloom

Wild yet passionate in love, are the tribal's

So was hers, for them and theirs

Sad was her heart, at the jungle's ruin

Starved was her pen, of any words

To the children, she lent a voice, therein

To save the jungle, her poetry and birds

While planting seeds, with hope they croon

Cast your magic, of life, dearest monsoon

As the clouds poured, and lent some life

To life, the jungle sprang, and they all sang

Like the mother herself, she nursed and cared

Days later, the deers came smiling

For lifetimes, shall the tribals sing, her praise

Her story of life, her pen; still flowing.

.

This is a small tribute to noted Malayalam poetess and social activist, PadmaShri SugathaKumari, who through her beautiful gems of poetry, refreshed the love for forests and also organized the Adivasi people into infusing life once again into the once dead forest at Attapady, in Kerala. These words are dedicated as a mark of respect for her efforts in bringing back the forests.

I wish to thank, noted writer and good friend, Scharada Bail, through whose book,"Icons of Social Change", I came to know of this extraordinary work of this great poetess, who has also won the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award.

P.S: This is to inform all blogger friends, that due to a new internet usage policy at my workplace, I have been deprived of access to blogger, to write new posts and comment on other wonderful posts in the blogosphere, and also to reply to your most encouraging and inspiring comments. I shall not be capable of blogging as frequently as I had or rather desperately want to, but shall always be reading your blogs. Please remember, I shall always be there, just an email away.