Even the stony Cenotaph in my garden smile at me with equal merriment
Though he is right in front of me, they ignore him as they walk towards me
They gaze at me with reverence and marvel at my timeless beauty
I am the Cathedral of St. Francis in my home town island, Fort Kochi.
I was born in wood 516 years back revered as the first of my kind in India
Those were the days when great men like Vasco Da Gama strode the earth
I was brought up with great care by the king of Kochi and the Portuguese
I was dressed up in brick and mortar when I turned a teenager at sixteen
Every day was a celebration with many a friends gathering in my bosom
More and more they grew until I hardly recognised them who was who.
I had many siblings after me, but for everyone I was the elder, the biggest
Many a kings and queens came to see me, bowing their heads in humility
Even the great Vasco when he died was buried in my bosom with love
Over the years I became God, untouchable, invincible, arrogant and proud
Then came the Dutch with their new Gods and terrifying guns and canons
They razed every sibling of mine to the ground and burned them mercilessly
I was trembling with fear when they came to me, all my pride had vanished.
Somehow, I survived that fateful day, thanking and weeping I never slept
Hoping that they never came back, I prayed the whole night for a miracle
As the sun rose the next day I could hear distant rhythmic clatter of hoofs
I painfully realised that those were the Dutch horses marching towards me
The platoon came to a halt in front of my gate and I knew my end was here
The three wise men leading the brigade dismounted their ornate horses
They entered my gate and came inside and then to my utter surprise and joy
They walked through my aisle and knelt down at my altar and silently prayed
The fear, the anguish, the trembling stopped and I fell into a deep slumber.
When I awoke, I realised that the Dutch had adopted me with keen devotion
And they decorated me generously with a lot of new ornaments and clothes
I was enjoying all the attention and care, it made me look younger each day
I started to be alive again with hymns mesmerising the air everyday morning
And feasting and gaiety on festivals lasted until the end of the month or more
And when electricity came, I was illuminated with colourful bulbs on Easter
My bells were strong and their gong rendered the air every morning of Lent
My lawns were lush green and grass was manicured to perfection every day
My gardens were rich with vibrant flowers whose fragrance pervaded the air
My people, the people of Kochi loved me and I loved them too fervently.
After the Dutch left, the English came. And again, I feared for my life
Can’t they just leave us alone? I used to ask the sea. And the sea replied,
'Our land is too beautiful and such beauty is more a curse than a blessing'
I knew she was right and we had witnessed many battles together, she and I
My heart longed I would someday be free from my foreign masters, but alas!
I had to wait another 200 years before my motherland would be free, again.
The English didn’t bother about me, they left me in the hands of the Dutch
Later in life I realised they had more important things to conquer than God
Everyday with the devout I would also pray that He will change their hearts
Why do men want to rule men, when happiness is in sharing and giving
If only I could speak I would tell them, out of the wisdom from 500 years
That there is no better happiness than loving one another unconditionally
That there is no secret way to peace than to forgive one another absolutely.
I still stand here witnessing every change through these 516 years
Earlier they used to sit for hours and paint me, now they capture me on mobiles
Earlier they used to walk or ride a horse, but now they ride a car or a bike
Earlier they used to be well dressed when they came to me, now they hardly come
Earlier they lived by the rules of the church, now they live by their own rules
Earlier they used to feast together, now they celebrate on their own
Earlier they used to be more human, now they act more like robots
I wish they were more loving, more kind, more caring, more forgiving, more human.
