'Last Bus to Vasco' was written on a bus journey from Panjim to Vasco in 1997. In the early days when this poem was written, the last bus to Vasco from Panjim bus stand used to leave Panjim as early as 8 pm. Whatever one's business in Panjim or beyond the river Mandovi one was always anxious to make it in time to catch the last bus home to Vasco – or risk getting left behind.
http://lastbustovasco.blogspot.com/2008/05/last-bus-to-vasco.html *Last Bus to Vasco* *-Brian Mendonca* ** I Cool zephyrs of night Under the canopy of the western sky, Everything dissolves Places, smells, memories, distances. Orion smiles in benevolence. Full-busted fisherwomen urge their *pantulems* onto the bus. "*Maincho gho*" seethes the conductor. Mandovi bridge lights kiss me farewell As I gaze down, From Bambolim slope. "2213," "PAGE ME" scream the hoardings. "*Fulancho Khuris*," spires doffed in benediction Matrimandir of the faithful. "O Lord, hear my prayer" "Siridao Siridao, *vos vos*." Ancient palm trees, lonely sentinels Penetrate the inky darkness. "Kingfisher Bar and Rest." Shrouds the brooding Goa Velha cemetery. II Zuari crossing Sodium lights shimmer on the Styx. Tourists whistle; "*Iea maray*!" Hurry up please it is time. Here time stands still. Unlike the stormy Krishna, or the restless Jamuna The lambent Zuari Receives the prow of the ferry boat In Cosmic harmony. Must call home. It's late. "All-lines-in-this-route-are-busy. Please-call-after-some-time." III Crossroads Cortalim Watermelons galore. "*Ieta?*"says the matador van. 9.05 pm.Red tail lights flicker, Cavalcade of vehicles head for home. DEA, MH, GAO-2 *Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.* The rim of land parleys with the river. Goa Shipyard. Pothole crater ahead! Where tyre wheels measure The undulations of social interactions. KTC bus stand, Vasco. My two-wheeler sulks at my inattention. On the road once more, The short ride home . . . To Goa, my own Ephraim. *Glossary **pantulem: *(Konkani) wicker basket; *maincho gho: *(Konk. derogatory); *Mandovi: *River in North Goa; f*ulancho khuris: *(Konk.) Cross of flowers, Bambolim; *Matrimandir: *M*e*ditation centre, Auroville, Pondicherry; *Siridao: *village in central Goa; *vos: *(Konk.) go; *Styx: *(Greek myth) river of the underworld; *Z**uari: *River in South Goa; *Iea maray: *(Konk.) Let's go; *Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: *(Sanskrit) 'All creation is one family'; *KTC: *state-owned Kadamba Transport Corporation; *Ephraim: (*Biblical allusion) *John 11.54 *Desert town where Jesus stayed My next poem 'Requiem to a* Sal*' was written in Mangor Hill in 1987. The poem is about the timber-providing *Sal* tree which is much sought after for construction purposes. *Requiem to a Sal* *-Brian Mendonca* They came Armed with axes And split its bark with gashes In a frenzied madness The glistening blade Laying bare The oozing gum, the ebbing life . . . Stroke after stroke They hack relentlessly, Until, With a mighty shudder What was, ceases to be 'New building coming up' -- they said. O hear my cry piteous Mankind! As years roll by, and you multiply, Will we be bereft of Nature's supply? REST in Peace, dismembered One, Condemned to oblivion by thankless sons. Your sprightly shade, your laden boughs The carefree twitter of morning birds. Forgotten. We will miss you. The world is too much with us! Alas Man! You exact too high a price To fashion yourself shelters through ruthless device. -- Have a nice day edu http://edwardlopes7.multiply.com/ http://www.youtube.com/edwardlopes7 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
