Friday, December 6, 2024

THE FIRST SNOWFALL- SRIANEE DIAS

The First Snowfall- SRIANEE DIAS

First published in 2018. Enjoy her poetic talents.

Winter is here in the UK and in many other countries. This wonderful poem was posted in 2018. I hope you enjoy it (and start to shiver feeling the cold!)

                               



                           Softly the shimmering snowflakes flutter down

                                  transforming the black surface of the driveway,

and the un-raked piles of leaves on the lawn and footpaths.
The dark night is gently illuminated by a glowing,
thick white pristine blanket.
The beams of light from the lamps along the footpaths glisten,
like an image on a Christmas card.
I look out the window at the cold silent scene,
enjoying the peace outside and the warmth indoors.
Minutes go by…
…and I hear them, the grating sounds of the snow removal trucks,
scraping the driveway, pushing the snow aside, clearing the way.
In readiness for the morning.
Life will resume.
Cars will once again be driven on the snow-cleared streets.
But me? I’m retired,
and will probably push the ‘snooze’ button on the alarm…




21 comments:

  1. Mahen, thanks for resurrecting this contribution. We had our first sighting of snow here in Connecticut two nights ago - about 2 inches of soft gentle snow. It was pretty and did not create much havoc. I was reflecting on how my relationship with snow and winter weather has evolved over the years. When my daughters were in elementary school, and I was working, predictions of snow storms created panic and anxiety, because schools in Connecticut would close if there was a concern for school bus travel. We had to wait for school closings to be announced over the local radio stations. I had to find a baby sitter at short notice, although usually a plan plan was in place the night before. I would tell my teenaged baby-sitter who was attending high school in the same town "Remember, if schools are closed, you cannot stay in bed. You have to come over and stay with my daughters!" She was compensated well, so she didn't mind.
    My first job was 15 minutes away in good weather, but in icy snowy conditions it was a different story. Luckily, since we hospital employees set out early there was hardly anyone else on the road in the early hours of the dark mornings. I have a distinct recollection of hitting the brakes once at a traffic light and spinning around 360º before my car stopped. My car and I escaped unscathed because we were the only ones on the road at that time.
    My last full time hospital appointment was 45 minutes away with a commute that involved hilly, winding roads. When snow was predicted I packed my sleeping bag and camped on the floor of my office! I had located a nurses' locker room with a shower, and the cafeteria food wasn't too bad. It certainly beat the possibility of sitting in traffic forever or having a nasty accident.
    Nowadays, I enjoy the snow from the comfort of my home or avoid it altogether by flying off to sunny, hot Sri Lanka!

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    1. Srianee, here in England, we are lucky that heavy wintwrs are becoming uncommon and also more short lived. Fortunately, I never faced the difficulties you went through while I was working. There were days when travel by car was difficult and I would ratther stayed at home- but this wasn' t an option. How we react to winter weather is a good example of how we perceive external phenomena.

      In my early days in the UK, the ver same "nasty" weather now, was a delight and I looked forward to snow, huddling in front of a gasfire to stay warm and even the late dawn and early dusk were relished! It is just a reminder to all of us that more than external change, we are more conditioned by our ineternal changes including memories, associations and context.

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    2. Mahen, I agree that my change in attitude to the winter weather is metaphorical in some way to the changes I face in my life. Hmmm...

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  2. Well done Bunter and Mahen- Enjoyed the poem as well as the audiovisuals.
    Thank you

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    1. Hi Rohini, I'm glad you enjoyed my freestyle poetry! I think Mahen's music and skillful imagery created the perfect mood.

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    2. Rohini, nice to see you commenting on the blog, always a great pleasure. Keep contributing!

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  3. Hi Srianee
    What a lovely poem of winter. I love the wonderful imagery done by Mahen. My winter refuge is a rocking chair. As I sit and rock myself on this wintry morning, I could hear the Storm Darragh lash my windows. A red weather warning is in place for Wales and Scotland with 90 MPH winds.
    Winters in London have got milder with very little or no snow in some years. When I first arrived here in the early 70’s we had a few feet of snow every year. Global warming no doubt is responsible for this and the warmer and wetter spring and summer.

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    1. Nihal, your rocking chair is now legendary. In the fullness of time when we walk into the Nihal D Amarasekera Museum, your Rocking chair will be a central feature in the specious lobby, placed within a lighted central cubilce which slowly rotates on its base to the gentle music of Wagner in the background.

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    2. Mahen
      I love my rocking chair a gift from an elderly family friend. It creaks a bit but not loud enough to upset my dear wife. It is as old as the hills although there are no hills in my neighbourhood being as flat as a pancake. To recline in the evening of my life is a habit I have inherited from my maternal grandfather who had an ebony "harnsiputuwa". This had an ingenious contraption to put the feet up and have the legs horizontal. I believe he inherited this chair from his father, a Kandyan gentleman, living in Suduhumpola. Legend has it, he was a government vaccinator against the dreaded Smallpox. My grandfather was an apothecary. His eldest son was a doctor. Perhaps it is a remarkable ascent from a Vaccinator to Apothecary and Doctor. These are the stories and images that flash through my mind as I recline in my rocking chair. Do excuse my conceit and arrogance. They are all a part of old age.

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    3. I have a visual image of Nihal in his rocking chair by the fire! And Mahen, I imagine you dancing like Dick Van Dyke at 99 as in the video I shared in the WhatsApp group!

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    4. Nihal, those swing out hansiputuwa attachments for keeping your feet up were devised by the planters who often took their afternoon naps without taking off their boots. ( That's what I've been told.). That's why they are often called "planters' chairs." My brother has one that belonged to my paternal grandfather. He treasures it.

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    5. My father had that sort of hansiputuwa and after dinner, he would ould recline on it smoking a stninky cigar(Jaffna)

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    6. There are Victorian vintage plantation chairs (Indian) selling for between £500 - £800 on eBay. Described as-
      An antique low, easy 'Planter's' chair with an inclined rattan seat and arms that extend out to form leg rests, designed for use on verandahs in 19th Century British colonial plantations. Has concealed leg rests under the arm rests to allow for a feet up reclined seating position.

      The rattan seat is designed to provide ample ventilation and comfort in tropical climates and the leg rests allow the feet to be raised to reduce the effects of heat and humidity

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  4. Srianee
    Enjoyed reading your poem, thanks.Agree winter is always lovely, looking out from inside.At the moment in Sri Lanka,enjoying the Sri Lankan hospitality , love and friendship.Not looking forward to the winter, hope it continues mild in UK.

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    1. Hi Bora, I'm glad you enjoyed Mahen and my collaborative effort. Yes, the snow is best appreciated from inside the house these days. I did try skiing way back when but decided it was too much effort and that it was too cold! I wonder if you and Harshi will still be in Colombo when I arrive on Dec 31, 2024?

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    2. Srianee
      Sadly we are leaving SL on 12.12.2024.Have a great time in Colombo.

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  5. Srianee
    Thanks for that snippet of information on the origin of the Harnsiputuwa. It somehow seems to make sense. Few of my uncles were estate "Periya Dorays" and I have spent many holidays with them enjoying their lavish hospitality. They had beautiful bungalows maintained by a retinue of servants and maintained lovely gardens. I recall playing tennis in their private court in the evenings and attending lavish parties in the local Planters Club at the weekends. Those were the days of wine and roses. With the nationalisation of the estates went the good life.
    I often think of the British planters many of them from Scotland who lived in those remote estates upcountry. They were lonely and far away from home.

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  6. Srianee
    I enjoyed your poem and Mahendra's background music.
    My mind went back to winter 1978 when I was in UK. It was supposed to be the worst winter for 20 years.
    It was the first time I was able to enjoy the beautiful sights of heavy winter although I was in UK from 1976. It was an experience walking on heavy snow.
    But I am happy to be in sunny Sri Lanka. For me nothing like home, sweet home.
    Chira

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    1. Chira, I'm glad you enjoyed the poem. Yes, like you I will be happy to leave the winters behind when I move back to Sri Lanka.

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  7. Srianee, thank you very much for your lovely poem. My mind goes back to my first visit to London in early January 1972. It was winter and I was waiting eagerly to see and feel snow for the first time. I had to wait until March to see the first specks of snow. I was so thrilled that I ran on to the road and allowed the snow to settle on me!
    Recently I saw a photograph of Horton Plains; it was like a white sheet. It was not snow but frost!

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    1. Sanath, I'm glad you appreciated one of my rare attempts at poetry! Yes, as you described, the first glimpse of snow is magical for those of us who grew up in the tropics.

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