Frost in Naseem Bagh

The hymns to God filled the air, The crackle of chinar leaves under the foot ducks waddled from their pen, quacking in harmony, their bodies swaying with each step The moment of sentient beings defying the terror of Chilai Kalan. The old man coughs beneath the chinar, his lungs grinding like a rice mill. Under his pheran, a kangri cradles him, like a newborn wrapped in warmth. The snow falls, spinning like a top, whirling on eyelids, dancing on chinar leaves and his white beard, comforting him. The shikara man grips the oar, red, calloused hands tight around the wood, dipping it into the water with a soft plop. The rhythm of the oar and the silent fall of snow create a perfect binary He hands the old man a fish, which he places in the fire. The fish dies and sizzles in hot oil. The snow touches the oil and splatters. The snowflakes swirl around the fluttering Chinar leaf. Small snowflakes, chinar leaves flutter down, meeting the flame and dying Red, calloused,wrinkled hands rest on the old man's kangri Holding the kangri as if holding the beautiful face of a child. Each hand that touches it finds solace, as if the kangri cradles them all. Nature was writing the poem and transcended time because time was away and somewhere else Chinar: A large deciduous tree (Platanus orientalis) native to the Kashmir Valley, known for its broad leaves and vibrant autumn colors. Chilai Kalan: The harshest 40-day period of winter in Kashmir, known for freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall. Pheran: A traditional woolen garment worn in Kashmir during winter, resembling a loose overcoat. Kangri: A traditional Kashmiri fire pot, filled with hot embers, used for warmth in winter. Shikara: A wooden boat used on the Dal Lake and other water bodies in Kashmir, often for transport or leisure.