Dr. Ranjana’s poem explores childhood memories of Hydrangeas blooming along the Thames, highlighting their power to connect us to cherished moments and loved ones, exclusively for Different Truths.
The big, beautiful blooms
of Hydrangea in August
near the river Thames in London –
Pom-poms of pink, white and blue,
touch my heart and go deep...
deeper and deeper still
evoking a forgotten memory
that takes me back
down the vista of years:
I see a grandmother
sitting in her home temple
with idols of deities, religious texts
and fresh flowers
plucked from the front yard.
She is busy making
a garland of marigold.
A girl goes running to her
with a Flower Magazine
and shows her a picture
of bright clusters printed on it--
"Look, in these wonderful flowers!"
Oh, amazing! I wish I could decorate
this temple with such flowers!
What flowers are these?"
The lady tries to catch an eyeful
of colours from the glossy page.
"Nani, you know these flowers
are found mostly in foreign countries
and flourish in cool places,
in India, you get them in hill stations:
They are called Hydrangea!!
Unable to pronounce the name,
the grandmother takes her eyes
off the magazine and
concentrates on the garland!
Today August turns into a strange month,
can't say if it is cruel or kind
as memories drown me amid
an opulent expanse of Hydrangea –
I wish you were here with me
and we could swim in a sea of colours!
Picture design by Anumita Roy
Dr Ranjana Sharan Sinha is an eminent poet, author, and retired professor of English. She is renowned in Indian Poetry in English with international recognition. Her poems have been prescribed at the postgraduate level. She is the recipient of several awards for her contribution to poetry, including a commendation from the former President of India, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. She has authored and published nine books in different genres and 50 research papers.
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