Back home after a long and tiring tour she threw herself on the bed longing for some shut eye but the loud growling sound inside her stomach left her restless. Dragging herself to the kitchen she quickly grabbed the jars on the shelves frantically opening them and looking inside for anything that could satiate her hunger. Chips, biscuits, cakes lay on the uppermost shelf. But there was something else that she was eager to have, something she remembered she’d left long back and forgotten. She pulled open the refrigerator door and peeped in. A few cheese cubes that had turned hard and smelly lay there in a corner. She could feel her hunger pangs getting stronger by the minute. The insides of her tummy were getting pulled in all directions and the contractions were unbearable.

Unable to resist, she picked one and popped it into her mouth. Just as she tried to sink her teeth into the hard rubbery texture, the aroma of a sizzling molten hot pizza wafted through the air from the neighbourhood cafe. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply raising her nose up, like a mongrel until she could absorb the stunning visual of a full 12 inch pizza in her mind, loaded with mozzarella cheese flowing all over and beyond. The soft gooey white layer of cheese melting slowly around the toppings made her mouth water. A smile flashed on her face as she licked the piece of cheese, rolling it in and around her mouth and nibbling on it relishing every bite.

Spread wide and tall here I stand

overlooking the greens in the woods

on each of my branches, life forms dwell

a cosy home for lord’s creation,

a shelter to birds, bees, bovines,

the musical notes of my gentle leaves

add to their banter,

I liven up many a weary mind and body

as the scorching heat pierces through,

I’m the coolant, providing succour,

heavy downpours, thunderstorms I withstand

to keep many little worlds on me safe,

But alas, there’s danger I fear,

the ‘intelligent’ of the species

with a saw in hand is here

greed seems to have taken over him

he’ll destroy many a life here

to create a world for himself and his wife

how do I explain to him,

that you don’t build one by uprooting another’s

I take a quiet stroll on the beach

as the golden streaks spread their charm

all across the swirling waters of the sea,

my naked feet sink slowly into the soft grainy sand

that clings to my toes,

each step I take I feel their gentle cuddle,

a soothing feeling envelopes me,

the tides advance slowly,

they rise and fall over in jubilation,

their gurgling sound fill my ears,

they splash their surf on my feet over and over again,

adamant, like a little toddler that won’t give up,

they urge me to stay, as I move away

the gentle breeze joins in, nudges me to give in,

I take a deep breath, relent,

stretch my arms wide,

take a deep breath,

fresh, rejuvenated I feel.

Large expanse of ocean blue

accentuated by the melting morning hues

tranquil, serene, inviting

like unexplored islands of the Atlantic.

The allure is hard to resist.

I take the plunge

to soak in the sunlit charm,

the ripples travel far

each like circles of gold dust.

Gliding through the waters,

I elbow my way ahead

feeling lap after lap of bliss,

each stroke leaving me

fresh like the morning mist