Gangtok

Gangtok,
A bustling, friendly town
With buildings clinging along
Scary staircases taking you up
For a breathtaking view from the top
Buddhist monks chanting
Colorful flags fluttering
Entire town reeks of glamour
Little people dressed in smart suits
A child-like innocence looms over
Laughter and giggles echo in the surround.

A slow pace
Devoid of any rat race
Where every room has a view
Of mighty peaks smeared in white
Glistening in the first morning light
Often a grey mist looms over
The mountain shrouded in mystery
Like the veil of a bride
Teases the roving eyes.

Days are short
Nights are long
With nothing much to do
We idle away in the lazy afternoon
Fondly stare at the blue sky
Indulge in chats over hot chai
Knit sweaters and play rummy
Peel peas and sort through the rice
Savor oranges and sip homemade wine
Little chores and plenty a time
In the hills we find big joys in little toys.

As night falls
My town slows down
Her body wrapped in green
Every street wiped clean
Visitors satisfied, locals delighted
When hungry souls are fed well
The humble mother bids farewell
Tired from the day’s duty
A deep slumber is all she needs
Even in the dark her beauty glows
Doesn’t look like a century old
Rather, she looks like a sweet baby
Sleeping in nature’s arms gently.

Gangtok,
A place where I am from
Like a mother and daughter
Bound together by an invisible cord
I always feel a pull
and hear silent whispers of my past.