Morning magic

“An early morning walk is a blessing for the whole day” said Thoreau. I wondered whether the philosopher would make such statements if the time machine relocated him to Namma Bengaluru today. With the ongoing building boom and transport in progress, it is impossible to walk on our streets unless one is preparing for an obstacle race! One could always walk in a park, but there are so few and eventually it encourages more talking than walking.

So, I decided to walk on my terrace. The silver linings were multiple. I did not have to spruce up or look for company. Besides, I did not have to hurry home quickly in case of a sudden shower or an emergency.

So, the following morning, well before the crack of dawn, I splashed some water on the face, passed a comb through my hair and climbed the stairs. The open space seemed to welcome me with dim lighting crisscrossing from the tall buildings and streets alongside. The almost moist fresh air stung my lungs.

Within no time I felt like the “Solitary Reaper” albeit in an altered situation, till the dark grey skies gave way to a deep blue as the sunlight seemed to seep through unnoticed crevices in the skies. Flocks of birds flew across as the hidden koel cooed away relentlessly. The silhouettes of trees revealed their varied verdant hues as they gently allowed daylight pass through them. As the skies grew into a lighter shade of blue, the street dogs shook themselves ready to face another day in their canine life.

As the skies brightened and the smells and the sounds of the street came alive, the curtains came down on the magic of morning. It was time to exit from the theatre of the universe and step into the reality of everyday life.

As I looked down upon the mounds of debris and building material stacked along the street, the paperboy zoomed round the corner and tossed the daily news up multiple bulls’ eyes without a single miss. The flower seller and the ‘soppu’ boy who could not bear to be left out, announced their wares even as the milkman tinkled into the scenario.

Soon, fitness freaks flocked from different directions and hurried along to burn their calories as if in competition with the dog walkers who strained at the leashes. The pious ones who helped themselves furtively to flowers from our garden were oblivious to the fact that they were being watched from above.

As I descended the stairs reluctantly, I looked up at the now azure firmament and made a silent promise to keep my date every single day to receive my daily dose of “blessing”.