Around a Rejuvenating Lake in Bangalore

It was really soothing to walk around a rejuvenating lake in Bangalore.  Hope all the lakes in Bangalore and around the world are saved.  These lakes indeed help us live a more wholesome life and bring us closer to nature and our souls.

As I walked around the lake and sat near the lake, I was reminded of the poem "On the Sea" by John Keats.

"On the Sea by John Keats" is a thoughtful and exquisite poem which celebrates the ocean and its restorative and soothing power.  Have you ever been to the seashore and observed the waves crashing against the shore or the gentle ebbs and flows of the sea?  Perhaps, it was a day when you felt very tired after the continuous assault on the senses - from the film industry in India to mafia-controlled estates.  A thoughtful walk along the seashore or resting near the shore, watching the waves carefully, can feel therapeutic - when people are within the hustle and bustle of a city, town or village. 

“On the Sea” is a poem by the brilliant Romantic poet John Keats which like many romantic poetic themes tries to celebrate nature.  This was during the turbulent times when England was experiencing the worst of the industrial age.

"“Oh ye!  Who have your eye-balls vexed and tired,
Feast them upon the wideness of the sea
Oh ye! Whose ears are dinned with uproar rude,
Or fed too much with cloying melody,
Sit ye near some-old cavern’s mouth and brood.
Until ye start, as if the sea nymphs quired!

Here, the sestet which is the last six lines of the poem discusses a resolution for the tired soul.  John Keats appeals to such individuals who have had enough of their senses being assaulted by corrupt forces to take refuge by resting near the ocean.  All their worries through the years will disappear on watching and thinking along with soulful waves.  They will feel that their whole being is comforted as if they are listening to the divine and soulful music of a choir and leave feeling rejuvenated again.

Here is a photo of the lake during one of my sojourns near the lake with my dear amma (mom) Rita.

I will also share some of my poetic content here:

Watching the water passing by

Relaxed my frayed nerves

The wind calmed my troubled soul

Bombarded on all sides by the hustle and bustle

Watching the water cresting up and down

Filled my frayed nerves with sweet ecstasy

My troubled soul was immersed in relaxing revelry

The thoughtless hustle and bustle 

Gave way to the feeling of awe-inspiring joy.

Watching the waves along
Serenading serenity to my nerves
Helping my soul to a jubilant song
Spreading wings of hope verves
The smothering hustle went into a void
So relaxing was the music to my ears
Helping my soul to fly to freedom veers

I had also discussed the poem 'On the Sea by John Keats' on another blog called cbsenext.com which is for children and grown-ups (For a more detailed discussion of the entire poem, you can go to: http://www.cbsenext.com/learners-portal/on-the-sea-poem-by-john-keats-summary-and-analysis)