“9 meters per second.
That’s how quickly the memories fell, torrentially, throughout the morning. I lay drenched between the folds of a blanket, shielding a hint of sunlight, deep within my ribs.”
Rain turns most of us into poets. It warms up deep corners in our chest, as we drink through our eyes and taste the flavor of the earth. Memories of yester-years swirl in our mind along with the aroma of ginger tea and deep-fried fritters. Outside my window, I watch drizzle turn into a heavy downpour. As the water starts collecting in the backyard, I am glad that I don’t have to turn the sprinkler on for a few days.
But I wonder if my mom shares such fond memories. Does it remind her of a village swallowed by flood or the ravenous river that burps out remnants of thatched roofs the morning after? What does rain mean to someone who had washed utensils sitting on top of a table as the water flowed underneath them, through the living room? Does it bring back the smell of mud-plastered bamboo walls as she builds her home year after year?
“Assam floods” is breaking news yet again. I watch houses, bridges, and livestock wash away in blurry videos. The soil erosion has threatened the existence of Majuli, the largest river water island of India. My Dad hails from Majuli. He studied in a school which is currently located in the deep depths of Brahmaputra. This cultural nerve center is reducing day by day as we helplessly watch its slow extinction.
Maybe that is a reason why I have never seen her sitting by the window, enjoying a light drizzle as most Millenials do. Never heard her cherish fond memories of the rain. Instead, she would be in the kitchen, brewing red tea and frying onion pakodas for the netizens busy writing prose for their 24-hour story.
I love the sound of raindrops falling on the window sill. There’s a rhythm to it, almost soothing as if consoling your heart, just in case it opened doors to places you closed years ago.
Photography: All photos were taken in my backyard through Oppo R9 Plus
I received this tag from Suha Vijay at https://shravmusings.com/. It’s my pleasure to pass on this tag to Suzy at https://suzysomedaysomewhere.blogspot.com/. There are 47 of us on this Blog Hop and it will be spread over 3 days – 2, 3, 4 August. Do follow the #WordsMatter Blog Hop and prepare to be surprised!
Linking to Wordless Wednesday, All Season
Your dad is from Majuli? Wow! I loved that little island. Reading this post, I could imagine what your mum goes through when it pours. Assam floods give me jitters too even when I have only read about them.
Watching rains is good only when one is safe. This was a beautiful piece, Raji! You made your words matter. Thank you for joining!
P.S. reading you via phone. My laptop keeps blocking your blog 😦
What a poignant thought. Though we love the idea of rain, nature can be at once giving and destructive.
Such a brilliant writer you are! Beautifully done. I’m one of the “oddballs” that loves the rain. Something about it to me calms the soul and inspires creativity. But it was so touching to read of what your mom endured and how her perception is entirely different.
Thanks for sharing this. I really enjoyed reading ♥
Beautiful rain drops! Water can be beautiful like here, and the waterfalls I visited a few weeks ago in Yosemite Nat. Park, but can also be so forceful and barrel through everything, and devastate whole villages., like you say. Many thanks for sharing the beauty of rain with All Seasons, and have an adventurous week:)
Like it’s said that excess of everything is bad. Incessant rains make the poet’s heart weep.
Loved the images.
I love rain but heavy down pour causing devastation hurts lot. Loved your photos, fantastic clicks.
I love sitting and watching the drizzle. 🙂 Or hearing it too. It’s beautiful to hear it pitter patter onto a tin roof.
That last line sums up “rain” for me too. I can’t imagine the dread the flood victims feel each time it rains. It’s not a memory that anyone would want to live with.
I can only imagine what your mom must be going through. It is not easy to forget some painful memories especially when reminders pour down.
As much as one appreciates rain, there needs to be a moderation in everything.
Love your pictures, the detailing is so good 🙂