An Afternoon Trek
The roads are winding, steep and uphill,
As we trudge on in the afternoon chill;
On either side are valley and hill,
Colourful flowers below pretty windowsills.
Part of the trek we have cloud and wind,
Then there is sun that burns our skin;
Sometimes cars make us swerve to the right,
Left we cross – to catch a breath-taking sight.
Little children holding their mother’s hand,
Outside closed convent gates stand,
Eyes twinkling with pranks they’ve planned,
Since the school bell rang – ending its ban.
At crossroads we stop to catch our breath,
But more for directions we have to take;
Posing for photographs at picturesque sights,
Bridges and golf courses on our stride.
Houses with blooming gardens in sight,
Make me wonder about the people inside –
Favoured by nature, aren’t they fortunate to be,
In the lap of mountains and striking scenery!
By now weary from the uphill walk,
Suddenly afar we see two armed guards:
Protecting those training to defend –
At the Army Staff College in Wellington.
A few moments at the war memorial we stand,
Then trudge up to the barracks further up;
En route, at suave officers in cars we glance –
In blazers with name tags breezing past.
After pizzas and cool drinks at the barrack shop,
Munching homemade chocolates we trek on;
For before dark we have to safely be indoors –
In our hillside room, at the cottage in Conoor.