By Poonam Singh
With dreams in our eyes and folklores in our hearts,
We embarked on our journey to the land of Buddha and sweetness of tarts.
With music in mind, peace and happiness added twice,
It’s going to be a calm, soulful and serene stay was anticipated thrice.
Peaks seemingly never ending, one behind the other, sneak peeking,
Unable to distinguish between the white snow and white clouds merging.
What if I lost my way in the snow, frights?
Then, I saw a bunch of youths scaling the heights.
ChangLa KhardungLa every Pass seem to be the highest point reached,
And, there you are with another peak, another story received.
The chill and shiver became the new norm of every valley crossed,
Be it Leh, Nubra or Pangong.
What if my heart bumped out of my chest for it hardly remained calm?
In every step we shrunk to the baby steps, still not without harm.
We got up from bed or we sat for a bath with a thumping heart,
We hardly could decide what went wrong.
The low pressures, low oxygen had created this enormous transform,
So, we were advised to take Diamox there on.
We saw locals cheering in this harsh atmosphere,
Lifting loads on heads to help finish their homes, their ecosphere.
Apricots, Populars, Apples and Willows,
Is all what grows in the sparse field shallows.
It’s a height above tree line,
From head to toe, a total beeline.
What nurtured our souls were the simplicity and ethnicity of the place!
The valley surrounded by rocky chaperones is what beat the tantalising hustle bustle of an open plain.
The blue salty waters of Pangong Lake bathed in sun-kissed terrain,
It was as if a clear sea from bottom got uplifted and found its place in the near heaven.
The clear water was so still, cool and unfazed,
As if undisturbed by the uncanny ghastly deeds of human hate.
There came dancing the Ladakhi dame,
Presenting dance with galore and fame.
Attired in the court room Royal gowns,
The dame looked charming and fuller in browns.
The enchanting greyish sand that banters,
Added fervour to the slow moving body contours.
Totally mesmerised by the sloppy caravans of camels in the fray,
Loaded with fur and double humps in the grey.
The snow peaks tell a story,
Though formidable yet endearing.
The lovely mysterious mountains, open their arms for all far and sorts,
Guarding borders and sending warmth to our brave hearts.