Kanchendzonga

 

(View from Chumbi Mountain Retreat, Pelling)

Looking for the mighty mountain, 

We make our journey in haste.

One stop, then another,

Packing in so much, 

Like a lion hungry for years.

With vomit splashed in moving cars, 

And boys who get the runs.

But Kanchendzonga the majestic, 

Evades from our view.

Rain drenched streets greet us, 

With fog and cold. At last, 

The sun shines, but he is nowhere 

To be seen still. Nostalgia 

Brings back memories of childhood, 

To be fifteen again, squealing in delight, 

A bumpy car ride uphill in winter, 

Catching the sunrise in snow capped glory.

Is it so difficult to spot you?

Will you hide like a scorned lover so?

I cannot make a film like Mr Ray.

Family that travels together, 

Always squabbles together.

Come on, just once, let the sky clear up.

Reveal those icy secrets to searching eyes.

We forge ahead to another state, 

The road leads down to the river, 

The sun sets, we say our prayers, 

Stars string out like rosaries.

A quiet hymn from the monastery,

Vibrates across the mountain range.

The King makes us wait again, 

And we make sure we don't complain.